Background
Pettis, Jerry Lyle was born on July 18, 1916 in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Son of Dwight and Clora (Zimmerman) Pettis.
United States representative politician
Pettis, Jerry Lyle was born on July 18, 1916 in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Son of Dwight and Clora (Zimmerman) Pettis.
Educated in Arizona and California, he graduated from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California in 1938.
He was also a rancher, teacher, aviator, religious leader, and businessman. In 1966, he was elected as a Republican to the United States. House of Representatives, and he was re-elected in 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1974. He represented California"s 33rd Congressional District until January 1975 and its 37th Congressional District thereafter.
Background and Personal He did graduate work at the University of Southern California and the University of Denver in 1939-1941 before becoming a businessman.
He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World World War II and was a pilot for United Airlines. Pettis was killed on February 14, 1975, when the Beechcraft Model V35B Bonanza he was piloting crashed near Cherry Valley, California, after he encountered adverse weather conditions.
He is buried at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, California. The Jerry Pettis Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital in Loma Linda, California, was so named in his honor.
His congressional papers are located in the Archives & Special Collections at Loma Linda University.
During the 1970s, the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Scholarship was established and is awarded by the American Medical Association Foundation to "students pursuing careers in science communications".
Member 90th-94th congresses from 37th District California. Member Ways and Means Committee. Member California Republican Central Committee, 1964-1975.
Member Task Force on International Economics Policy.
Member National Commision on Fire Prevention and Control. Served with Air Transportation Command, World World World War World War II
Member American Farm Bureau, Airline Pilots Association. Clubs: Capitol Hill, Army-Navy Country (Washington).
Married Shirley Neil McCumber, March 2, 1947. Children: Peter, Deborah.