I’ve known Dr. Gordon Petty for as long as I can remember. He was my doctor when I was a baby and he was the youngest doctor in my hometown of Carthage, TN. He was a close friend to my parents and became a close friend and valued source of advice to me throughout my career. Gordon was a comforting and ubiquitous presence throughout Smith County as he traveled from house to house checking in on the families and communities that he cared for so deeply. His distinguished service in the Navy during World War II and his dedication to medicine and public health during his subsequent 50-year career made him a hero and role model to thousands of people. I am lucky to count myself among those who learned from and admired Dr. Petty. He was and will always be a hero of mine and I will miss him terribly.