Jack Howard Petrie

Master Sergeant Jack Howard Petrie, US Army (retired) went home to our Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. Jack was born on December 26, 1935, in Pottawatomie, Oklahoma to George, and Eva Petrie. Jack attended Tecumseh High School where he was a member of the Glee Club, Chorus and was in the 1953 class play, “Desperate Ambrose” where Jack played the character role of “Hoot Owl Pete.” Jack also played football and other sports while growing up in Oklahoma. Jack’s passion for sports, especially NASCAR racing, NCAA Football, Ice Hockey, and other sports was a great pastime of his. He enjoyed watching and attending many local sports events to include the UTEP Miners football games and El Paso Buzzards hockey games.

Upon graduating from high school, Jack enlisted in the United States Army on October 14, 1954 and was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas for basic training. After completing Basic Training, Jack was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington to become a Military Policeman, Jack later changed military occupations and served in the Air Defense Artillery Branch for the remainder of his 28-year career. Jack was assigned to numerous Air Defense Artillery groups to include the 10^th ADA Group, 1^st Battalion, 1^st ADA, 6^th Battalion 62^nd ADA, Staff and Faculty Battalion, US Army Air Defense Artillery Center and School, 6^th Battalion, 44^th Artillery (HAWK), 6^th Missile Battalion, 44^th Artillery, 3^rd Missile Battalion, 7^th Artillery, 4^th Missile Battalion, 57^th Artillery Group.

MSG Petrie traveled the world while in the Army, being stationed in Germany, Okinawa, Key West Florida, Fort Bliss Texas, and many other locations. He was awarded the Meritouus Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal (9^th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 1, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3. Jack worked as a civil servant with the Fort Bliss Provost Marshall Office and later with the Japanese Self Defense Force as a Hawk Missile Liasson Officer and Instructor.

Jack is survived by his daughter Margareta Smith, Son in Law, Leigh E. Smith Jr. and grandson, Ryan E. Smith all of El Paso, Texas.

Jack will be buried with full Military Honors alongside his wife Doris M. Petrie at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Gathering of Remembrance will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes- Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass. Committal Service will follow at 1:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.