Douglas Ralph Pettey

Douglas Ralph Pettey, 63, passed away at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM on Friday, May 23, 2025, after a long battle with respiratory disease. He was born on July 22, 1961, in Fort Sumner, NM, to Donald Ray and Wenona Belle Pettey. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1979 and went on to study psychology at Evangel University in Springfield, MO for a short time. He loved God, and loved learning more about Christ’s teachings, and sharing what he had learned with others.

One of the highlights of his life was the time he spent on a mission trip in Kona, Hawaii on a college break in the early 1980s. That time left quite an impression on him, and probably helped shape who he became as a person.

He spent many years in Albuquerque, with his young family, volunteering or working as a youth pastor, choir director, music minister, worship service leader, etc. in various Assemblies of God churches. He loved putting on musical productions with any church group he has ever been a part of.

He later moved to Las Cruces to go back to school and ultimately graduated from NMSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in music. For more than 25 years, he was a proud resident of Las Cruces, lending his many musical skills to the community. He taught music at Mesquite Elementary school for many years. Most recently, he worked as a music teacher at North Valley Elementary School. He was also a music leader at El Calvario United Methodist Church. Prior to that, he served several years as minister of music at University United Methodist Church. He was involved with the United Methodist community in Las Cruces since moving there in the mid-1990s.

Doug was very outgoing and loved teaching – both music and by leading Bible studies. Music was his passion. He taught music, enjoyed live music, played piano, sang, and was a prolific song writer. He also loved baseball and could be found at the ballpark in Denver for many an opening game with son Sam. And anyone who knew him well probably also knows that Go Pack Go was his chant!

He was a self-professed perfectionist, but also liked to bring levity to situations where he felt perfectionism was too intense. He loved to tease and have fun. And oh, those dad-jokes…...

He earned a certification in Reconciling Ministries with the United Methodist Church in June 2017. This was a very proud achievement for Doug, and that ministry was a passion for him in the years since.

He is survived by his son, Samuel Devin Paul Pettey of Albuquerque, NM; his father, Donald Ray Pettey of Springfield, MO; his sister Donetta Raylene Cochrane of Springfield MO, as well a beloved aunt and uncle, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday morning, May 31, 2025, at 10:30am at the El Calvario United Methodist Church, located at 316 N Campo St, Las Cruces, NM 88001. The services will be followed by a luncheon at the University United Methodist Church, located at 2000 Locust St., Las Cruces NM 88001. All friends and family are welcome to attend both events.