Michael “Mick” Pettit

Longtime Palmer resident Michael “Mick” Pettit, 65, died July 8, 2011, at his home on Lazy Mountain.

A memorial service is at 6 p.m., Tuesday at the Lazy Mountain Bible Church.

Mick was born May 5, 1946, in Sacramento, Calif., to Jane and Robert Pettit and moved to Palmer in 1947. Mick graduated from Palmer High School in 1964. He received his teaching degree from Lewis-Clark Normal School in Lewiston, Idaho.

Mick taught social studies and coached girls’ basketball, first at Willow Elementary and then at Palmer Junior Middle School, with a career that stretched from 1973 to 2001. After retirement he worked construction until 2006 and then spent his last years golfing, hunting and fishing with his sons and friends.

When Mick’s best friend Mark Canfield was asked recently whom he admired most, he wrote, “My friend Mick of Alaska, who is battling cancer. He just absolutely won’t let it get in his way. He has always lived full of wisdom and yet has this childlike approach to life. He has always been that way. He makes you feel good. He is the most unique human being I have ever met.”

Mick is survived by his parents, Jack and Jane Seemann; brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Marilyn Pettit; sister and brother-in-law, Mel and Collie Johansen; son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Melissa Pettit; son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Amy Pettit; son, Zack Pettit; granddaughters, Abby and Lila Pettit; and 55 nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his father, Robert Pettit.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made to Mat-Su Hospice.