Eugene "Gene" Petree

 Eugene Petree, 98, a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away Friday, December 20, 2024 at his residence surrounded by family. He was born June 21, 1926 in Fonde, Kentucky, the oldest son of the late Simon and Annie Petree. 

 Gene married Billie Irvin; sadly after 45 years of marriage she preceded him in death. After being single for 11 years, he married Nettie Prewitt of Williamsburg, Kentucky, they have been married for 23 years. 

Eugene served his country during the Korean War as a corporal in the United States Army and was stationed at Camp Stewart Georgia. He was certified by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for boating skills and seamanship. He also successfully completed classes and training and earned a certificate as a radio and television technician. 

He was a supervisor for 30 years at General Motors in the Toledo Ohio plant. During his years at GM, he completed the GM Dale Carnegie course for effective leadership. 

After he retired at age 52, over a span of years he built four lovely houses in various locations. He loved camping, music, and spending Winters at the Church of God Camp and Conference center in Wimauma, Florida. He also cherished being with family and friends. 

Gene was a member of the Roessler Street Church of God in Monroe, Michigan. Their current church home has been the Dante Church of God with Pastor David Snyder.

He is survived by his children, Joyce (J. David) Stephens of Cleveland, Tennessee; Brenda (Ron) Jackson of Monroe, Michigan, and Roger Petree of Dundee, Michigan; his wife, Nettie; four grandchildren, Brent (Sarah) Stephens, Jeanna (JJ) Chiara; Jennifer (Chris) Brown; Kelli (Frank) Giarmo; 12 great grandchildren, James, Abbey, Bryar and Hannah Stephens; Ava, Mary, and Harrison Chiara; Kennedy and Kendall Brown; Austin, Griffin, and Jackson Giarmo. Eugene was excited about being a great-great grandfather to a little girl who will be born in February. He is also survived by four siblings, Arlie, Leon, Carl Petree and Mary Walden and Nettie’s three sons, Paul, Wes, and Ronnie Prewitt and their families. 

In addition to his first wife Billie, he is preceded in death by six siblings Albert Petree, Kathleen Gibson, Virge Petree, Josephine Heath, Arizona Hyden, and Yvonne Fields.

The family expresses a special “thank you” to Anna Drouillard, who is like family, for her invaluable support and knowledge assistance and to the Tennova hospital hospice team for their kind service. In addition, the family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful neighbors in the “Villas of Cedar Crossing” for their extra kindness and generous support during the time of Mr. Petree’s illness and passing!

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM at the Dante Church of God with the funeral service at 1:00 PM. The burial will take place at the Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle, Michigan, later in the week with full military honors. The arrangements have been entrusted to the Mynatt Funeral Home of Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Bacarella Funeral Home of Monroe, Michigan.

 Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.mynattfh.com