Elder Ralphl. Petaway, Jr.

Elder Ralph Louis Petaway, Jr. was born July 5, 1934 in Mobile Alabama to Ralph Louis Petaway Sr. and Annie Pearl Davis. He was their 4th child and only son. Ralph was educated in Picayune, Mississippi and graduated as his class Valedictorian.

He served his country as a United States Marine for three years during the Korean Conflict. He then transitioned to the United States Air Force where he began his service at the United States Air Force Academy.

Much to his delight, he learned that the love of his life, Rosie Mae Cox, had moved to Denver Colorado. When he was seven years old he said, "I'm going to marry that girl". He loved to tell the story of the proposal. "When I found her and proposed to her she said, "I gotta think about it, yes" all in one sentence". I said: "Man she's a quick thinker".

From this union were born three boys, Sheminoly D. Petaway, Darwin G. Petaway, and Sharwyn L. Petaway, who lovingly referred to him as "Mr. Daddy Ralph" in their formidable years.

He was raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Philotee and Benson Howze. As a child he was baptized in Picayune Mississippi.

As a young man, Elder Petaway came to faith at the 1st Church of God In Christ in Colorado Springs, Colorado under the leadership of the late Bishop Chester E. Morgan.

As he continued his military tour, he did the work of the Lord in Anchorage, Alaska under Bishop C.W. Williams, and several Churches in other states.

He retired from the United States Air Force in 1974 at Patrick Air Force Base in Melbourne, FL, after which he relocated to Aurora Colorado, where he and his family became members of All Nations Church of God In Christ.

He served as a teacher of Sunday School, as well as 39 years as a YPWW teacher and president. As a trustee, he led building, and purchasing projects. He was indeed a "Churchman" He also served as the District Sunday School Superintendent of the Pentecostal District, and earned the Colorado Deacon of the Year award.

He coached the "Petaway Pirates" basketball team, where his son's played, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

He attended Denver Metro College where he earned a BA in Business management, after which he started his own business, "Petaway Janitorial Service". The company slogan was "A Better Way With Petaway". He wrote his first book, "America A Religious Nation! In God's Promise or Just on His Premises?", which went on the market on April 1, 2012.

Preceding him in death were his Father and Mother, and two of his sisters.

Left to Celebrate his life are his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, and 5 months, Missionary Rosie M. Petaway; three sons, Sheminoly D. (Elizabeth A.) Petaway – Aurora, CO; Darwin G. (Melanie) Petaway – Houston, TX; Sharwyn L. Petaway – Aurora, CO; three grandchildren, Michael A. Petaway – Hollywood, CA; Joshua E. Petaway – Houston, TX; Madison B. Petaway – Houston, TX; one great-grandson, Ellis D. Petaway – St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN; one sister, Zeola Mitchell – Cleveland, OH; one adopted brother A.D. (Edna) Brown – San Francisco, CA; one adopted daughter, Terri (Butch) Carrington – Detroit, MI; one faithful sister-in-law, Cloria B. Mosley – Denver, CO; one brother-in-law, Winston R. (Gloria) Cox – Wisconsin Dells, WI; four God-Children, G.J. Hatcher – Louisville, KY; Aisha Germany – Denver, CO; Cassandra (Nathaniel) James – Denver, CO; Joshua Eugene Carr; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and well wishers.

To share your memories of Ralph or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.