James "Jim Peterson" Peterson

James Robert "Jim" Peterson, 62, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 16, 2010, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Jim was born April 12, 1948, in Janesville, Wisconsin, to James Robert Peterson Sr. and Ruth Arlene Markham Peterson. He grew up in Wisconsin and Iowa, where he graduated from high school. A member of the Boy Scouts of America, Jim earned his Eagle Scout award at the age of 16. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1968 and spent eight years in the Nuclear Navy as an electrical operator, supervisor, and instructor. The last 40 months was as an instructor at the A1W nuclear prototype at NRF at the INL. He was also a Navy Scuba Diver on the submarine he was on and afterwards. For several years thereafter he did body recovery for the Bonneville County Sheriff's Department and near Great Falls, Montana, in his spare time. After his discharge from the Navy, he went to work for Hartford Steam Boiler in 1977, where he worked for 23 years. He went on to operate his own consulting company and most recently was employed with AEGIS Insurance Services out of New Jersey. In 1980, Jim met the love of his life, Katherine Marie "Kathy" Zinn, and they were married October 10, 1980, in Great Falls, Montana. In 1982 he went back to school at the University of Montana and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor's Degree in print journalism with a technical writing emphasis. In 1992 they moved to Idaho Falls and in 2000 Jim started his own loss control engineering consulting company. Jim and Kathy enjoyed taking their 5th wheel camping in Mackay every summer and loved four wheeling there. They loved to travel and especially enjoyed going to Mexico. Jim loved boating, fishing, and swimming. James is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Kathy, two brothers, Dennis (Joellyn) Peterson of Aurora, CO and John (Beth) Peterson of Kennewick, WA; three sisters, Mary Kris (Mike) Fleming of Abilene, KS, Karie (Walt) Cowden of Shelly, MN, Kathrin (Lance) Mueller of Hayden, ID; two sisters-in-law, Carol (Bob) LaFontaine of Cascade, MT, and Cheryle (Dennis) Hallan of Wolf Creek, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Robin Vigdal Hosler. Jim is also survived by two dear friends who were like daughters to him, Kari Powell of Idaho Falls and Trina Park of Hamer, ID. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the services at Wood East Side. Jim will be buried at sea near the Naval Base at Bremerton, Washington. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Memorial Services

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, November 20, 2010 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the services at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. Jim will be buried at sea near the Naval Base at Bremerton, Washington.