Ernest Milton “Pete” Petry

Ernest Milton "Pete" Petry, 86 of Council Grove (Formerly of Lawrence) died on Saturday, March 1, 2025, after surgery to repair a broken hip and a stroke that he suffered shortly thereafter.

Pete was born on May 28, 1938, in Ellis, Kansas to Ernest Franklin Petry and Florence Irene Adamson. He was the middle child of 3. He had an older sister who preceded him in death, Laquita "Cupie", a younger brother, who still survives, Vernon.

Pete earned his nickname to differentiate him from his father. A shortened version of his last name and it stuck with him for his entire life.

He grew up in Atchison. After graduating high school from Atchison High School, he met his future wife and mother of his 4 boys, Ellen Sue Stouppe.

Pete served in the military in Tacoma WA where he had a son, Mark Curtis who preceded him in death in 2018. He left Tacoma and settled in Sabetha, KS where he worked for Brey Auto Sales and operated the outdoor drive-In for a couple of years.

Pete eventually settled in Lawrence, KS working as a life insurance salesman. While raising 4 boys, he enjoyed coaching baseball for the Jaycee Jayhawks, serving as the President of DCABA and later commissioner of Holcomb Baseball.

Pete enjoyed fishing and would often take his kids fishing at Perry Lake. He also enjoyed taking them on long haul road trip vacations in his small, extremely uncomfortable blue Datsun, during the summer after baseball season had ended, through the western states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Washington California and Nevada.

Later in life, Pete became an antique dealer and could be found at garage and estate sales around Lawrence, purchasing items for his multiple booths peddling his finds at the Antique Mall in Lawrence. He enjoyed KU basketball, football games and also parking cars at his house during basketball season.

Pete is survived by three children all born in Sabetha, KS. Scott Alan, wife Shirley of San Jose, Costa Rica, David Keith, wife Vicki of Council Grove, KS and Thad Steven, wife Kate of Boulder, CO, a bonus daughter, Jessica Yeomans, husband Cary of Bedford, TX. Seven grandkids Sara, Mark (Curtis), Jordan, Alec, Erica, Katelyn, Olivia, and two great-grandkids Roman, Robin and a bonus grandson, Hayden Savage also survive. He was preceded in death by a bonus grandson, Hunter Robinson.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside services at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, KS are pending.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Pete's memory to the Council Grove Senior Center, 227 W Main Street, Council Grove, KS 66846 or Good Shepherd Hospice House, 3801 Vanesta Drive, Manhattan, KS 66503.