Carl H. Pettitt

Carl H. Pettitt, 96, of Eustis, Florida, passed away on December 3, 2024. Born in Brick, Alabama, Carl moved to Eustis in 1955 from Sheffield, Alabama. He dedicated his career to education as a teacher and later served as the Superintendent of Schools in Lake County, Florida. A member of the BPOE #1578 in Eustis and the Florida Retired Teachers' Association, Carl was also the President of the Tavares Rotary Club. His commitment to community service was evident at a young age as he participated in Boy's State with the American Legion. He shared his passion for service by example through his active participation in the local Kiwanis Club, and at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Eustis, where he often served as a lay reader, as well as Junior and Senior Warden. In recognition of his service and accomplishments on behalf of others, Carl was nominated and was commissioned in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. In addition, Carl honorably served in the United States Army, specifically the Army Chemical Core, during the Korean War.

Carl was able to communicate with people at all levels. He never met a stranger inside or outside of the US as he and Sandy traveled to over 67 countries. He was a great father to his children. He took on 4 additional preteens when he married his wife, Sandy. He was a highly respected leader in the school system. He knew how engage his student and genuinely cared for each and every one. He was determined to help shape the lives of the children he taught in school as well as his children in his home, using his wealth of knowledge that he gained from many universities. Former students have sought him out to thank him for believing in them. He was a passionate learner himself who used that strength and passion for learning and for protecting our great country. He was a storyteller of true events in his own life. He was proud of his accomplishments and told many stories of how these accolades were earned through his diligence. He lived through The Depression and his stories often reflected how these times molded him into the man that he became. 

Carl was also a gifted artist. He loved photography and he was exceptionally talented in pen and ink drawing. A hobby that he practiced almost every day of his life. He even enjoyed a little "Free Cell" on the computer and was proud that he beat the computer 99 percent of the time. If you were ever lucky enough to travel with him, you would also know that he was an accomplished yodeler. 

As Robert Frost once said, "A man's ambition should be high not scratched in the earth but carved in the sky." If you have ever crossed Carl's path, you are equipped to do the same. 

Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Sandra D. Pettitt; his daughter, Deborah (Jordon) Hypes of Fruitland Park, Florida; two stepsons, Michael (Deede) Kleimeyer of Cumming, Georgia, and Mark (Mary Lynn) Kleimeyer of Panama City Beach, Florida; two stepdaughters, Michelle (Kent) Wiseman of Grand Island, Florida, and Laura (Rob) McCarthy of Franklin, Massachusetts. He cherished his role as a grandfather to 11 grandchildren and had the joy of being a great-grandfather to 9 great-grandchildren.

The family invites friends to pay their respects at the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Carl's birthday, February 21, 2025, at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Discretionary Fund at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, which can be accessed by clicking HERE or by mail to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 317 South Mary Street, Eustis, Florida, 32726. Donations to support The Carter Center in Carl's memory are also appreciated. Further details can be found HERE.

An online guestbook is available at www.hardenpauli.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida.