John Walter Petrey

John Walter Petrey passed away at his home in Guntersville, Alabama on February 27, 2022. John was 84 years old, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

John Walter was born September 24, 1937, the middle of five children, and the first Petrey to be born in a hospital. He and his family lived his entire childhood in a house built by his father, where family still gathers today. John Walter attended grade school in Petrey, Alabama, and high school at Luverne High School where he excelled in athletics, lettering in football, baseball, and basketball.

John Walter attended the University of Alabama from 1955-1959, where he earned a B.A. in Business.  He joined Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and made many lifelong friends. At Alabama, John met the love of his life, Betty Fields; and they were married December 29, 1959. The young couple moved to Pensacola, Florida, and promptly won a Cadillac convertible in a prize drawing at Piggly Wiggly. Thus began their life of great love, hard work, and good fortune.

John started his 50-year career as a businessman as an accountant for Chemstrand (later, Monsanto) in Pensacola.  After promotions and relocations, he, Betty and their children found their forever home in Guntersville, Alabama.  The next promotion would have taken John and family to Monsanto headquarters in St Louis; after 19 years with Monsanto, John turned it down to keep his family in Guntersville. He started his own company, SCOR Service Company, and later moved to Kappler, Inc., where he ultimately served as President.  In 1986, he left Kappler and later founded Sunrise Industries, Inc.  He built the company into the thriving business it remains today. John sold Sunrise to his son and a business partner in 2010 and began a well-deserved retirement. Throughout his career, John was admired and respected by his colleagues. Countless times, family has been told, “He was the best boss I ever had.”

John was a strong and active community leader. He enjoyed Toastmasters, and held leadership positions in Kiwanis, the Industrial Board, and the Chamber of Commerce. John enjoyed many trips to Asia as a business delegate in support of our community and state. Until his health prevented participation, John loved working to support First United Methodist Church. Over the years at First Methodist, he served as Superintendent of Sunday Schools, Treasurer, and Head of Stewardship, among other roles.

He enjoyed boating and fishing on Guntersville Lake and building things with his grandchildren. Golf, in particular, was a passion; he and his friends formed the Gulf Coast Classic golf group, and for at least two decades they traveled together to play great golf courses. John was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and looked forward to football season every fall. John and Betty took many adventurous trips to fantastic places here and abroad. His children and grandchildren treasure lifelong memories of the annual whole-family trip to Orange Beach, which John hosted for 18 consecutive years. Throughout their lives, his three children, Martha, John and Carolyn, have felt his strong hugs, heard his warm laugh, and known his constant support.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Loyce Petrey (Susie); his brothers, Walter Lawrence Petrey (Margaret), James Curtis Petrey, Joe Bradley Petrey; and his sister, Annie Loyce Petrey Johnson (Walt).  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Fields Petrey; his children, Martha Petrey Boyd (Kyle), John Walter Petrey Jr (Maria) and Mary Carolyn Petrey (Adam); and six beloved grandchildren, Hallie (Ryan), Mary Mac, Millie, Emma, Ellie and Edwin; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Petrey and Cheryl Petrey; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 4 at First United Methodist Church, Guntersville.  Before the service, the family will receive friends in the sanctuary, beginning at 1:00 pm. John will be laid to rest at the Petrey Cemetery in Petrey, Alabama on Saturday, March 5 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you memorial donations to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama.