Ghery D. Pettit, 82, a longtime Pullman resident, passed away on Sunday, May 17, from pancreatic cancer.
Ghery was born on Sept. 6, 1926, in Oakland, Calif., to the Rev. Hermon D. Pettit and Marion St. John Pettit. He graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1942 and attended the University of California, Berkeley, until 1944, when he joined the Navy. After his discharge in 1946, he attended the University of California, Davis, where he received his B.S. in animal husbandry in 1948. After a year of graduate work, Ghery enrolled in the veterinary school at U.C. Davis. He received his D.V.M. in 1953.
Ghery married Frances M. Seitz on July 5, 1948. They have two sons, Ghery S. and Paul M.
After graduating from veterinary school, Ghery stayed on the faculty for eight years. In 1961, he joined a private practice in Sacramento, Calif., but three months later was offered a position at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. He and his family moved to Pullman in the fall of 1961. He retired in 1991 as Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery.
Ghery was a charter member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and served as president and chairman of the Board. He received the ACVS Distinguished Service Award in 1994. Ghery was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity and was the Grand Alpha (International President) from 1998-2000. Ghery served as the adviser for the WSU chapter for 25 years. He received the Alumnus of the Year Award in 2006.
Ghery was an elder in the Pullman Presbyterian Church, a member and past commander of the American Legion, Maynard-Price Post 52, the Kiwanis Club of Pullman and the Pullman Child Welfare Committee. He was a member of Phi Zeta (Veterinary Scholastic Honorary), Alpha Psi fraternity (Veterinary Honorary) and Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Honorary). He received the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award in 1971. Ghery was a member of the Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors from 1981-1988 and served as chairman in 1987. He published 90 articles, three books and many abstracts.
Ghery is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances; his sons, Ghery S. and wife Marilyn of Olympia, Wash., and Paul M. and wife Valery of Spring Creek, Nev.; and two grandchildren, Ghery C. of Olympia, and Heather Pettit Larsen and husband Mark of Vancouver, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Floyd; and nephews Carl and David. He is survived by six other nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. May 29 at the Pullman Presbyterian Church. The family suggest memorials be made to: Pullman Presbyterian Church, 1630 NE Stadium Way, Pullman, WA 99163; The Pettit-Robinette Scholarship, c/o WSU Foundation, P.O. Box 641925, Pullman, WA 99164-1925; Friends of Hospice, P.O. Box 281, Pullman, WA 99163; or a charity of your choice. Kimball Funeral Home is caring for the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.
