Carl F. Petty

Carl F. Petty, 58, a well-known Cleveland attorney, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2018.   He grew up at Tybee Island, GA, Columbia, SC and Walterboro, SC, where as a teenager he developed a passion for Quarter Horse racing.  He quit school at 17 to become a professional horse trainer, but financial realities soon required him to earn a living wage.  At 20 he became general manager of a new Quincy’s Steakhouse in Murfreesboro, TN where he met his wife, Susan.  He moved back to Columbia with Susan to attend USC and during that time worked as Maitre D’ at Forest Lake Country Club.  They eventually moved to Susan’s hometown in TN and Carl received a BS Cum Laude in Criminal Justice from UT Chattanooga in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from UT Knoxville in 1991.  He practiced law in the Cleveland TN area from 1991 to the time of his death and served as Assistant District Attorney General in the 10th Judicial District from 1996-2001.

He was an avid Civil War and World War II historian and later in life raised and trained draft horses.  Carl loved lively political debate and usually defended the conservative perspective.  He was also a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment and long-time member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. 

Carl was a formidable attorney, but had a kind heart, loved children and was a favorite among his many nieces and nephews.  His great sense of humor, quick wit and magnetic personality now leave a giant hole in the lives of his family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph “Joe” Michael Petty, Sr.; and his grandmother, Agatha Elizabeth “Bessie” McDevitt Sherling.

Survivors include his soul mate, Susan Harmon Petty; their daughters, Emily Petty Parker (Tadd) and Olivia Grace Petty; his mother, Beverly Joe Sherling Petty; his siblings, J. Michael “Mike” Petty (Stephanie), Edna Petty Gantt (Russell), Ronald Vincent Petty, Demott Timothy “Tim” Petty and John Edward Petty (Gabriela); 11 nieces and nephews; and 7 great nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Fike-Randolph and Son Funeral Home with Minister Kurt Benson officiating.  Interment will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, GA, adjoining the Augusta National Golf Club, with a brief graveside service.

His family will receive friends from 4:00-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Petty family guestbook at fikefh.com.