George Petersen Jr

GEORGE C. PETERSEN JR. IDAHO FALLS, ID -- George C. Petersen, Jr, 85, of Idaho Falls, died February 28, 2010, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. George was born April 23, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the oldest of six children born to George Clarence Petersen and Muriel Rausch Petersen. At the age of 17 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and was involved in the invasions at Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian, as part of the battalion intelligence team. He received a Bronze Star for his service. The military selected him to attend the University of North Carolina as part of a very special program. After an honorable discharge, he further pursued his education at the University of Utah in Law. He continued to practice law for 60 years. On March 22, 1949, he married Evelyn Brey on the "Bride and Groom Radio Show" in Hollywood, California. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. George has lived in Idaho Falls for the past 60 years. He was very civic minded and served in many service organizations including the Idaho Falls Kiwanis Club, where he served as President of the local club, Governor of the Utah-Idaho District and on the International Board. He was involved with the Jaycees, Elks, Lions and many other organizations. He also served as a City Councilman of Idaho Falls from 1951-1959. George was an active member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in various church callings, his favorite being Sunday School Teacher for the youth and Sunday School President. George's favorite thing to do was to spend time with his family, especially skiing in Sun Valley and “sailing” at Balboa Island. He was a very dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His hobbies included golfing, scuba diving, fishing and working. Survivors include children, Tera Lee (Michael) Oldroyd of Idaho Falls, Vickie (Kirk) Norman of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Cyndy Shelton of South Jordan, Utah, James Douglas Petersen of Salt Lake City, Utah, J'Lene (Paul) Krass of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Laurie (Bill) Croft of Idaho Falls and Deneen (David) Bybee of Kaysville, Utah; 23 grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; brothers, Victor (Evelyn) Petersen, Mack (Vicky) Petersen, sisters, Betty Petersen and Renee (Keith) Workman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, his parents; a sister, Dorothy; a son-in-law, Niel Shelton; and a grandson, James Brandon Oldroyd. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010, at the Idaho Falls LDS Boulevard Ward, 351 West 14th Street, Idaho Falls, with Bishop Neil Russell officiating. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and Thursday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation, 201 East 19th Street, Suite 12E, New York, NY 10003 or at www.ohf.org. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Shayne Summers summerss@byui.edu So sorry to hear about this great loss. He was a great man and a pillar in the community. I loved that each of his children were his favorite. May comfort be your companion at this time. Ruby Sharp Dear family, We want to express our deepest sympathies for the loss of your father. George has been our family attorney since the early 1960's. He has helped our family in all situations. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We know the Lord will give you comfort that no one else can give. We loved George and are so grateful for his friendship and love. Ruby Sharp and family. Dane & Sherry Watkins Dear George Petersen Family, We want to send our condolences on the recent passing of your father. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a great person, and his outstanding accomplishments in the community will always be remembered. Sincerely, Dane & Sherry Watkins Connie Carlson connie@fallsinsurance.com I have served on the ARA Board of Directors with George for many years. He was always so proud that his name ended in "sen," while mine ended in "son." He said that I couldn't help that I married a "son" person! I loved his quiet style, his great sense of humor, and most of all his wise and wonderful advice to our board these many years. We will miss not only his advice, but his familiar "this meeting is adjourned" at each of our meetings. Your family is much wiser and stronger because of this great man. Connie Carlson Marcie Young I just want to express how sorry I am to hear of George's passing. He was a good customer at the business I work for and I enjoyed getting to know him over the last couple of years. He was a wonderful person, and I know that he is in a better place. Kim Hall kim.hall@bateman-hall.com Tera, Sorry to hear about your father. it is hard to believe we are getting to that point in our life. I know you have had to deal with this before and can only hope that you will be bless with comfort at this time. Kim James LaRue [jplarue@cfu.net] Please convey our sincere condolences to the many members of George's wonderful family. It was our good fortune to get to know him and Evelyn during the 1988-89 Kiwanis year when we were peer District Governors of the DREAM TEAM. Sincerely, Jim and Nancy LaRue, Cedar Falls, IA Diane Plastino Graves George was a wonderful and caring friend to my parents, Ben and Margaret Plastino, and to me. We are grateful for the personal friendship and professional assistance he gave to us for many decades with kindness and dedication. John Perkes George was a great man and when I was growing up, no Sunday was complete for me without getting a handshake from him. My heart goes out to his family at this time. George will be missed. Mike Toombs mtsunrise@ida.net Tera, I just learned of your Dad's passing. We are so saddened for your loss. Every time I would clean at your Mom and Dad's home, I was always impressed at how clean and organized his garage was...kind of a funny thing to notice. I also found your Dad's constant enthusiasm to be a delight. I have been honored to have known him and your family.