Thomas P. Pettigrew Jr.

Born in Richmond, Virginia on December 5, 1941, to Thomas P. Pettigrew, Sr. and Nancy Chappell Pettigrew, Tom grew up in Bon Air, Chesterfield County and graduated from Virginia Tech. He joined the United States Air Force in 1964, served in Vietnam and spent most of his career in San Antonio serving at Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases, with a short assignment at Aviano Air Base in Italy. He retired as a Major after 20 years of service.

In 1978 Tom married Kathleen Pettigrew, his wife of 45 years. While stationed at Aviano Air Base in the early 1980’s, they made lifetime friendships with their Italian hosts and many others they met as they traveled throughout Europe, mostly by motorcycle. Tom loved his motorcycles and was a longtime member of the Texas Travelers Motorcycle Club. He traveled with best friends Gerald (Gerry) Briggs and Thomas (Blue) Taylor across Texas, Alaska, and all over the United States.

Tom’s love of travel continued through the last 30 years, revisiting friends in Italy and Germany, exploring eastern and western Europe, and cruising the Caribbean with his beloved partner Kathy by his side. With a keen sense of humor and fun, he enjoyed dressing in costume for Renaissance and Dickens festivals, Red Hat cruises, and Miss Fischer’s Murder Mystery Conventions the couple attended over the years.

Tom was a true artist, continually learning to create something new and exquisite. During his life he mastered stained glass, woodworking, and furniture making. His numerous superb pieces are treasured by his family. In addition, Tom worked tirelessly at restoring the original carousel from Playland Park and volunteered for many years at Texas Public Radio.

He is survived by his wife Kathy; son Andrew (Andy) Pettigrew and his wife Claire McCracken of Houston, TX; daughter Elizabeth (Beth) West and her husband Ronny West of Buda, TX; grandsons Hamilton and Benjamin West. He is also survived by sister Nan Nussler and her husband Hans of Chapin, South Carolina; brother William (Bill) Pettigrew and his wife Cindi of Blacksburg, Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A visitation for Thomas will be held Friday, October 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238.

A memorial service will occur Friday, October 13, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238.

A committal service will occur Friday, October 13, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78234.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNWFuneralHome.com for the Pettigrew family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org) or the Glaucoma Foundation (glaucomafoundation.org).

The family wishes to give special thanks to Ruth Aldape and Tender Care and Devoted Care Hospice.