Donald Pettis

Obituary For Donald Pettis

Donald Sullivan Pettis, 78, of Largo, Maryland, transitioned into eternal life on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Manor Care Nursing Facility. He was born in Harrisburg and was the son of the Late Collier Franklin and Ora (Sullivan-Penn) Pettis of Oberlin.

Don was a 1963 Graduate of Central Dauphin High School where he played both Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball. Furthering his education he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, where he attended on a Football Scholarship. Immediately following graduation, Don was drafted to play Professional Football where he played 4 consecutive seasons from 1967 - 1970. After his professional football career, Don had an extensive career in the insurance, sales, and financial industries and worked for several companies including NY Life Insurance Company, State Farm, and IBM Corp.

In his leisure, Don enjoyed watching sports, playing tennis and spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerome Collier Pettis and William Johnson Pettis and his daughter Alisha Watson; He leaves to celebrate his life, his daughter, Shaune Pettis-Gilliard (Alphonso) of Charleston, SC; his sons, Anthony Pettis of Philadelphia, PA and Brandon Pettis of District Heights, MD; his sister, Priscilla Reid and her husband, Robert Reid of Middletown; his brothers. Ronald Pettis and his wife, Emma Pettis of Middletown; and Warren Robert Pettis of Hollywood CA; his grandchildren, India Glover and Yasmeen Battle; his great-grandchild, Langston Quick!and a host of other relatives and friends.

Don’s life will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, Steelton with visitation 10:00 a.m. until 11 a.m.