Cover photo for David Pettyjohn's Obituary
David Pettyjohn Profile Photo
1981 David 2021

David Pettyjohn

May 2, 1981 — October 6, 2021

Hutto, Texas

It is with saddened hearts that the family of David “PJ” Duane Pettyjohn, of Hutto, Texas, announces his passing on October 6, 2021. David was born to Effie Aldridge VanGorder and Daniel Pettyjohn on May 2, 1981, in Cordele, Georgia.

David lived a fulfilling life as a loving son, brother, husband, father, and uncle. Aside from his family, David's greatest devotion was to the military. David served honorably for 11 plus years as a Cavalry Scout with the 1-7 Cavalry and the 82nd Airborne Divisions in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant. His decorating awards and metals include the Bronze Star Metal, Iraq Campaign Metal with four Campaign Stars, Army Commendation Medal (fourth award), the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Army Parachutist Badge, and many more. PJ was a generous, kindhearted, outspoken, full of life individual who always put his loved one’s first. He enjoyed cooking, family game nights, off road trailing in his Jeep, and wrestling.

David will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 11 years, Elida Pettyjohn; his five children, Marissa (19), Isaiah (18), Leticia (16), Makayla (16), and Jonathon (10); his mother, Effie VanGorder; brothers, Roland VanGorder III (Kim), Matthew VanGorder (Alexis), Miguel Pantojas; his sisters-in-law, Rosanna Pettyjohn, Rocio Hernandez (Samuel), Alexis Rodriguez (Valorie), Esperanza Rodriguez (Lance), Marisol Rodriguez (Abelardo), and a host of other family members and friends who loved him very much.

David was preceded in death by his father, Roland VanGorder Jr.; brother, Shawn Pettyjohn, and biological father, Daniel Duane Pettyjohn, and sister, Amanda VanGorder-Golob.

Family and Friends will gather for Visitation at Elgin Funeral Home, Monday, October 11th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Graveside Services with Military Honors will be conducted at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery of Killeen, Thursday, October 14th at 9:00 AM.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Pettyjohn, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, October 11, 2021

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

Elgin Funeral Home

, Elgin, TX 78621

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Starts at 9:00 am (Central time)

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery of Killeen

11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 46

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree