Wendell Petty, MD

Dr. Wendell Petty 1921 - 2010 Wendell Petty, MD, 89, peacefully returned home on September 24, 2010, in Salt Lake City, Utah, due to respiratory complications following surgery. Dr. Petty was born to Eldon and Dagna Erickson Petty on March 27, 1921 in Salina, Utah. He graduated as valedictorian from North Sevier High School in 1938. Wendell received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah, graduating in 1942, summa cum laude. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi national honor societies. After teaching a semester of science at North Sevier High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served his country from October '42 until November '45, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. He served with the 11th Armored Division, US Third Army as head of the G-2 and G-3 sections, participated in the Battle of the Bulge as a German interpreter and interrogator for prisoners of war, and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. In 1950 Wendell graduated from the University of Utah Medical School, again at the top of his class. He interned at Wayne County General Hospital in Detroit, then returned to Salt Lake for a surgery residency. He opened a surgical and general private practice in Shelley, Idaho. Before leaving Shelley in 1968 for an ophthalmology residency at Stanford, Dr. Petty had delivered over 3,000 babies and served as the Surgical Chief of Staff at LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls. He practiced ophthalmology in Twin Falls from 1971-1988. During that time he served as president of the Idaho Society of Ophthalmology. In addition to his professional ability, Wendell was a prolific painter, a polished pianist, a budding botanist, and a fervent fly fisherman. Wendell and Margaret Adams were married on April 8, 1944, in Camp Cook, California. They solemnized their marriage a month later in the LDS temple in Manti, Utah. An active member of the LDS Church, Wendell served in many callings. Elder and Sister Petty served in the Washington, D.C. North Mission 1990 - 1991. The couple also served as ordinance workers in the Boise LDS Temple for 12 years. Wendell is survived by his loving wife Margaret, of Twin Falls, Idaho; two sons, Gene (Linda) Petty of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Jerry (Roberta) Petty of Shelley, Idaho; two daughters: Sandy (Brad) Hobbs of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Wendy (Dan) Brinton of Lafayette, California; 20 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ralph and Kent. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 4, 2010 at 1:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 680 Hankins Road North, in Twin Falls, Idaho. A viewing will be held from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the church. Interment will follow services at the Twin Falls Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho. All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Condolences may be sent to www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.