Phillip Dale Pettus, age 47, of Drakes Branch, died Friday, December 24, 2004. Surviving are his parents, W. Harold Pettus Jr. and Lydia Wilkerson Pettus of Drakes Branch; one sister, Lisa Pettus of Vancouver, Wash.; a companion of 10 years, Thomas Edwin Dunnavant. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Drakes Branch Presbyterian Church. Browning Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on 12/25/2004.
I'll always remember him as the guy who managed to burn up three Fiero's. I remember the first one was because he parked his Fiero over leaves, I don't really remember the other two.
I'm choked up about this...Damn
I had NO idea he was umm... You know!
RIP !
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10:41 PM
paulcal Member
Posts: 2608 From: Jacksonville, Fl Registered: Oct 2002
I never had any personal dealings with Phil but just about anytime I posted one of my many problems I've had with my car, he was always helpful and gave me good advise.
I for one will mis him. He was one of the 1st persons on this forum to answer my posts.
God Bless ya Phil, now and forever.
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10:46 PM
$Rich$ Member
Posts: 14575 From: Sioux Falls SD Registered: Dec 2002
i spoke with gtdude on the phone a few times when he was looking to get rid of his gold gt and wanted an auto gt . seemed to be a good guy . all i can wish for him is that there was no pain in his passing. my deepest condolences go out to his family and friends that knew him best.
Originally posted by NotAFieroAnyLonger: I had NO idea he was umm... You know!
RIP !
I did notice and wondered if he had AIDS or something that caused his death, not knowing how he died.
I always like him here on the forum, always had a positive response to any question I had.
What ever happened to that project he was talking about where the light covers opened down instead of up to reveal the lights? I was very interested in that idea.
Noticed that bit about his "companion" and didn't think it was worth mentioning.
As for AIDS, it doesn't kill just gay people. A friend of mine was a hemophiliac and he died of it. True, homosexuality is a major risk factor for HIV/AIDS but it's not the only one.
Anyway, I never met GTDude but he was a good guy; he helped me a couple times, too, like a lot of people here. He'll be missed.
Ed
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11:26 PM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
I spoke to his roommate as many times as I spoke to Phil. Every time I tried to go over to Keyesville from Longwood where my oldest daughter was going to school i could never catch him so we never met. Gonna miss Phil, he seemed to take the kidding about burning the Fieros in stride although we all would cringe everytime he posted nother burning. If his family needs to dispose of his belongings, I hope this forum will help them do so. He had parts cars and generously offered to let me come over and pillage for pocket change. I never got the chance. It's sad to lose a fellow Fiero enthusiast, I thought he mentioned he had kids in one post, now I guess I was mistaken. I picture many of you on the Forum from your posts and quarrels and everything else and I realize I won't meet 99.9% of you except through here and I don't like the idea of any of you injured or killed. So take care, PFF'ers...
RIP Phil.
------------------ John DuRette ***Custom 85 under construction, 87 Coupe in the driveway. The fun never ends!***
and could you PLEASE edit that url out so it doesn't make EVERYONE scroll.
------------------ 1988 Aero 88 coupe.. 2.8l v6.. more mods to come. Photo Gallery - Fiero Links - WebShop I am the signature virus, please put me in your signature so I can spread
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12:19 AM
PFF
System Bot
ditch Member
Posts: 3780 From: Brookston, IN Registered: Mar 2003
OK, if what I'm about to say gets me flamed, so be it, it's what I feel
first off, my heart goes out to his family. I can't imagine losing my father, brother, or son.
second, the part that will probably get me negatives: from what I've read on this forum in the last year, he has scammed several people out of money. He also gave very bad advice in the tech section.....multiple times. So, regardless of what happened to him, I'm not about to say that he was a great contributor to this forum like some have said. Yes, he may be gone forever, but that doesn't mean I'm going to lie about his past just so I can say something nice now.
R.I.P
Dave
[This message has been edited by ditch (edited 01-12-2005).]
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01:19 AM
Phaeton Member
Posts: 1437 From: Interior Alaska Registered: Dec 1999
GTDude helped me out a lot once. He went way out of his way to help me out with a 4 speed transmission problem. He even scanned a factory service manual and emailed them to me to help me with the problem. He really seemed to know what he was talking about. I wish the best to his surviving friends and family.
This is also a request to everyone with negative comments to take them to another thread. Let's show a little more respect for a dearly departed forum member. It's the least we can do.
Rest in peace Dude.......may you spend eternity in a place where Fieros dont't burn......
-T
P.S. someone should contact the family to see if they need help "cleaning out" Phil's Fiero collection.....Not trying to be crass but funerals aren't cheap and maybe if someone let's them know that there are people out there that may REALLY want some of his parts and or car maybe the profits might help the family
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02:49 AM
Electrathon Member
Posts: 5236 From: Gresham, OR USA Registered: Dec 2002
P.S. someone should contact the family to see if they need help "cleaning out" Phil's Fiero collection.....Not trying to be crass but funerals aren't cheap and maybe if someone let's them know that there are people out there that may REALLY want some of his parts and or car maybe the profits might help the family
This is a good idea. It can help out his family for a few dollars that are likely much needed now and they likely will see this as an opertunity to have the parts go to a positive use. They probibly have no idea what to do with stuff.
Phill, I pray that you are at peace now.
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04:43 AM
tesmith66 Member
Posts: 7355 From: Jerseyville, IL Registered: Sep 2001
GT Dude gave good advice 99% of the time and was a well valued member of our community. He did run afoul of some members in deals that went bad, but we may never know what the underlying reasons for these problems was. He did try and make good to those members as best as he could, but you can please all the people all the time. His postings seemed to be lossing their sharpness near the end, maybe this was because of what caused him to expire, we may never know. I never personally met GT Dude, but I certainly know that he loved Fieros, and he also strived to help anyone he could however he could. We may never know what the cause of his ultimate demise was, but we certainly know that he will be missed. Good bye GT Dude, I know God could always use another good mechanic up there to work on all his toys.
[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 01-12-2005).]
I hope he is in a better place now. Maybe driving a bright red 88GT 5-speed with t-tops and leather with a big grin on his face. Any fan of the Fiero is a friend of mine. RIP GT Dude.
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10:11 AM
fierohoho Member
Posts: 3494 From: Corner of No and Where Registered: Apr 2001
When I first saw this thread I sent the following e-mail to his roommate:
Re: Phil Or as we knew him, GTDude. He will be missed on the Fiero Forum. Thanks for taking the time to let Cliff know as he notified us. There are quite a few people who have been wondering what happened, if you are comfortable in advising me I will see it is relayed to them in a respectful manner. My condolences to you and his family. Steve (fierohoho) Hoberg Mora, Minnesota P.S. This is the link where we were notified and the responses of some of those who have read it. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/048529.html
Today I recieved this response:
Dear Steve, my name is Edwin and was Phil (GTDUDES) roomie.I was bowled over by the number of responses I receieved and appreciated every one of them.Thought I would give you guys what little info I have, and would like you to pass it on to the forum.I found Phil on his back on the sofa and at first thought he was asleep, then noticed his lips were blue. the Medical examiner sent back the death cetificate with "pending" on it . I personally think it was sleep apnea as he snored like a buzz saw and has had a heart murmer all his life. Once again thanks to everyone for their thoughts,prayers and condolences, and thoughts.I will send y'all the final report when I get it. They said it could be as much as 2 months. sincerily, Edwin
[Thomas E. Dunnavant]
For those who missed it you can e-mail Edwin at badboy@moonstar.com
Medical examiner sent back the death cetificate with "pending" on it . I personally think it was sleep apnea as he snored like a buzz saw and has had a heart murmer all his life.
Only those of us who were close enough to him knew. Phil did not want others on the Forum to judge him by his sexuality. Phil did not want people to think of him as less a man, and you know good and well some of you would have, and would have made his life hell for it.
Randy
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12:42 PM
Frizlefrak Member
Posts: 2921 From: El Paso, Texas Registered: Aug 2003
Ok, I'm not one who talks a lot here, but I'm definitely a very active lurker, and occasional participator.
Ok... he died. That sucks. It really does, on many levels. But, we're on the topic of him. And, well, lots of people have lots to say about him. Whether it's about his contributions to us, his alleged shady dealings on occasion, or his lifestyle, lay off the "go jump in a lake" kind of replies.
Like it or not, passing away doesn't somehow invoke some rule somewhere that everyone has to be all solemn and sorry and quiet. Ever been to a funeral reception? People talk about all sorts of facets of the deceased's life... good and bad.
Questions adn comments that have prompted these kind of replies I think are completely valid.
If you want a "nothing but mourning" thread, then by golly have at it.
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03:12 PM
Indyellowgt Member
Posts: 1950 From: Alfred,Maine,Fiero Country,USA Registered: Dec 2000
In an effort not to hijack this, this will be the last thing I say... But, I don't think it was a 3rd grade comment. He didn't know he was gay. I just don't see how that is a childish remark. Heck, he even attempted to be somewhat gentle about it... tried not to say the "g" word.
Would it have been any better if he had worded it differently? Perhaps more directly?
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03:39 PM
ka4nkf Member
Posts: 3702 From: New Port Richey, FL USA Registered: May 99
If you can;t say something good about someone, then don't say nothing. Phil meant good, but some people mean good and do wrong, which they cannot help. Lets all just wish the guy a new life with the good Lord. Don
I'm going to ask for respect of this thread, if we want to flame ourselfs or other, Please, PLEASE, do it on another thread. His famliy and friends may read this thread. If this was my son or friend that passed and I was read some of this, I'd be mad, so once again, reply to bad comment made, or slamming of other some other place!, do this out of respect. Be a human for once and show some dignity, humanity.
SaskatoonFiero Justin
[This message has been edited by SaskatoonFiero (edited 01-12-2005).]
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07:17 PM
$Rich$ Member
Posts: 14575 From: Sioux Falls SD Registered: Dec 2002
Death is the final insult . No one gets out of here alive . Phil helped me out so many times with my on going Fiero projects and a many of the mechanical problems that arise owning a Fiero . He saved me many long hours of trial and error .
I remember the first one was because he parked his Fiero over leaves, I don't really remember the other two.
RIP.
