James Petet

James Edward Petet

December 1, 1939 ~ May 6, 2021

James Edward Petet passed on to heaven on May 6, 2021.  After a long and valiant battle with multiple health issues, Jim is no longer suffering and in pain.  Through everything, Jim fought and never complained, he was an inspiration on how to live life.

Jim was born to Bert and Grace Petet on December 1, 1939 in Caldwell, Idaho and was the oldest of two children. When he was a teenager, he and his family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Jim attended Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and he loved learning new things.  He was literally a walking encyclopedia, especially in history and aviation.  He worked in the airline industry for 40 years as a ground agent.  His aviation career started with Air West, which later became Hughes Air West, known for its bright “yellow banana” planes. In 1982 after Republic acquired Hughes Air West, he packed up the family and relocated to Centerville, Utah where he went to work at Salt Lake International Airport. Later Republic was acquired by Northwest Airlines which is where Jim worked until retirement from the airline industry in 2001. After retirement, Jim continued to work part-time driving school bus for the Davis County School District for several years.

Jim married Diana McDow in June 1961 in Twin Falls, ID.  There were two daughters from the union.

Jim married Norma Strack on July 23,1977 in Kalispell, MT.  He added three stepsons with this marriage and changed the course of all of their lives.

Jim enjoyed aviation, golfing, horses, and riding his motorcycles.  On July 23, 1981 Jim achieved one of his dreams when he earned his pilot’s license and made his first solo flight out of Glacier International Airport near Kalispell, Montana.  Jim loved riding motorcycles and even got Norma riding her own bike.  They made several long trips to Montana, Yellowstone, Idaho and other locations. Another of his favorite things to do was supporting his grandchildren in their various sports and other activities and rain or shine, year after year, he rarely missed an event.  He was a great family man who always supported everyone in his immediate and extended family.  Jim had an amazing impact on the people in his life and his spirit will live on for generations.  Jim also loved his dog, Baxter, with whom he will share his eternal slumber.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Norma, with whom he shared nearly 44 wonderful years of marriage.  He is the proud and loving father of his two daughters, Elizabeth Taft (Duawayne) and Norie Becker (Mike) and three sons through marriage, Anthony Losito (Cheri), Bradley Losito (Regina) and Jeffrey Strack (Lori). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Bert & Grace Petet, his sister Julie and his brother-in-law, Bob Snow.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N 400 E, Bountiful, Utah.  Friends may visit with family starting at 6:00 pm and go until 7:30 pm at which time a vigil will be held in Jim’s honor. The vigil will be livestreamed by scrolling to the bottom of this obituary page.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the St. Olaf Education or Building Fund at 276 East 1700 South, Bountiful UT 84010, or to plant a tree in memory of James E. Petet please visit the Lindquist online floral store.

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