 As a result, he took progressively higher doses to ensure the tour would continue and help him cope with the pain, culminating in his death at age 66 in his home.Petty was born October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida, the first of two sons of Kitty (Katherine) Petty, a local tax office worker, and Earl Petty, who worked in a grocery store.He had a brother, Bruce, who was seven years younger.