Melvin E. Petty, 57, of Pine Bluff died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

He was born Feb. 23, 1947, in Piggott, son of Melvin Lonnie Petty and Irene Jane Ratliff Petty.

Mr. Petty was raised on a farm near Greenway, graduating from Greenway High School in 1966. He graduated from Arkansas State University in 1969. After college, Mr. Petty worked as an insurance underwriter in St. Louis for two years to earn money for law school. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Law School in 1974.

He married Marilyn Kaye Clemetson on March 15, 1975, in Fayetteville. Mr. Petty practiced law with John Harris Jones in Pine Bluff from 1974 until 1994. He managed his own law firm from 1992 until October of 2004. He was the recipient of the Pro Bono Award from the Jefferson County Bar Association and served as President of the Jefferson County Bar Association.

Mr. Petty had a great love for sports. He participated in many sports as a youth, including playing basketball in high school. Mr. Petty was actively involved in his sons' baseball and other sports activities, including coaching Junior Babe Ruth Baseball in 1993 and 1994. He was a 30 year member and supporter of the Arkansas State University Indian Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his loving wife of 29 years, Marilyn Petty of Pine Bluff; three sons, Michael Petty of Austin, Texas, Nick Petty of Galveston, Texas, and Ryan Petty of Fayetteville; one sister, Linda Cook of Piggott; and one brother, Roger Petty of Bryant, Ark.

Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, 2005, at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors in Pine Bluff. Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to Baptist Medical Center, 9601 Interstate 630 Exit 7, Little Rock, AR 72205 and Arkansas State University Indian Club, P.O. Drawer 2219, State University, AR 72467.