Felix Joseph Petko

Felix Joseph Petko, 92, of Shady Cove, OR. passed Friday, May 1, 2009 at his home. He was born Dec. 10, 1926 in Dracut, MA. to Martin & Nastasia(Buenocevich) Petkovich. He later shortened his name to Petko. Felix developed a great work ethic at an early age when he left home after church one Sunday and "rode the rails" to find farm work during the beginning of the depression. He worked various farm labor jobs until joining the US Navy in WWII. He served in the Navy for 30years. He met his first wife Clayda Erna Town, also enlisted, in the post library where she worked. They later married and had three children. Clayda preceded Felix in 1981. In 1995 he married Virginia L. Brown who survives. After his lengthy military career Felix kept working. He first accepted a position with United Telephone in Redmond, OR. from there it was off to Long Beach, CA. to work in the optics division of the Naval Shipyards. In 1969 he came back to Shady Cove and purchased a small market he named Rogue Dale Cash Market. Felix was always a tinkerer and loved to fix things so the market eventually evolved into Rogue Dale Fix-it shop where he sold and repaired chain saws and small engines. In 1983 he bought the adjacent corner service station which is now the Shady Cove Exon and finally retired in 1989. He was a member of the Medford Masonic and Eastern Star lodges. In addition to Virginia he is survived by a daughter Peggy Petko-Long of Palm Desert, CA., a son Bruce Petko of Shady Cove, OR., three grandchildren Jeremy Petko of Medford, OR., Mason Long and Megan Long of Arcata, CA. and three great grandchildren Joseph Petko, Clarissa Petko and Elias Wagner-Long. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 1:00PM at the Scottish Rite Temple on N. Phoenix Rd. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Medford, OR. Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00PM on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the Hillcrest Chapel in Medford. Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary in care of arrangements. www