Black Mountain, NC - Pettus, Thomas Keller, M.D.

Respected Physician and Advocate for the Elderly Dies

Dr. Thomas Keller Pettus Passed away peacefully on the morning of April 15 in Black Mountain, NC, after many years enduring Lewy Body/Parkinson's dementia. He lived a full and meaningful life as a kind, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate physician in Minneapolis — a city he cherished.

Complementing his professional accomplishments, Tom was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a loyal friend to many. He discovered a deep passion for road cycling, becoming known for organizing long weekend rides and embarking on multi-day journeys across the country. Of all his cycling adventures he was most proud of completing the Race Across America with three of his closest friends - the group he fondly referred to as the "Four Horsemen." He was also a proud member of the Sunday Morning Cycling Club.

Tom graduated from Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, and earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota, where he began his lifelong commitment to geriatric care. His career began at Aspen Medical Group in St. Paul, followed by time in a small private practice, and later, various leadership roles as Medical Director of several high-quality nursing facilities. He concluded his career at Genevive, where he was a respected leader and advocate for innovative home health and hospice care practices.

Even after entering a skilled nursing facility as a patient, Tom continued to touch lives. He was beloved by staff, and known for his warmth, the ever-present twinkle in his eye, and his generous spirit - often expressed through his coveted bear hugs.

Tom is survived by his wife, Lenora Cecily Hines; his son, Zachary Hines Pettus (Jean Nitchals); his sister, Jane Pettus Hughes (Benjamin Hughes); and his nephews William Pettus, John Hughes, and Joseph Hughes and his niece, Wendi Pfifer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn Keller Pettus and William Henry Pettus, his brother William H. Pettus III, and his son Remy Hines Pettus.

A memorial service will be held at the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis on June 2nd at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation https://www.parkinson.org/ and/or Compassion & Choices https://compassionandchoices.org/ The family also welcomes memories and reflections from friends and colleagues, which can be shared via the Harwood Home For Funerals website: www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com