Dan Petty, an executive and civic leader who was one of North Texas' biggest boosters, died Tuesday at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas of complications from a recent surgery. He was 71.
Mr. Petty, who was involved in North Texas' government, education, tourism and transportation issues for the last several decades, most recently cemented his legacy by helping recruit Super Bowl XLV to North Texas.
The Petty family will hold a private burial in his hometown of Texarkana, Texas. A public memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Dallas.
"He was one of those never-say-no guys," said John Scovell, a longtime friend and chief executive of Woodbine Development Corp. "It doesn't matter what bell was ringing, he answered it."
In addition to his 17 years as president of the North Texas Commission, a nonprofit that markets the area, Mr. Petty was president of several Dallas firms including Henry S. Miller/Grubb & Ellis Commercial Realtors and Woodbine Development Corp./Hunt Realty Services.
He was also executive assistant to Texas Gov. Preston Smith, director of public affairs for the University of Texas, president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, board member of the State Fair of Texas and Dallas Area Rapid Transit as well as chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.
"Dan was a humble man who considered his successes to be those of the entire region, but he truly served as the glue that held many people in this region together," said Mabrie Jackson, president and CEO of the North Texas Commission.
Mr. Petty also had a role in launching the Welcome Home a Hero program at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Leadership North Texas.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Petty, of Dallas; a daughter, Adrienne Watson of College Station; a son, Kent Petty of Dallas; a stepdaughter, Maggie Culbertson of Texarkana, Texas; a stepson, Robert Riley of Fayetteville, Ark.; and seven grandchildren.
Memorial donations can be made to the Gladene and Oscar Petty Scholarship Fund at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, 4000 Moores Lane, Texarkana, Texas 75503-2148, or the Dan Petty Memorial Fund at First United Methodist Church, 1928 Ross Ave., Dallas, Texas 75201-3238.
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