Thomas Petersen
1923 - 2018
Obituary
Thomas (Tom) V. Petersen, 95, died on
Wednesday (Dec. 12, 2018) at Asbury Park in Newton.
Tom was born on Aug. 15, 1923, in
Reydon, Oklahoma, to Tom and Mary (Inman) Petersen. He graduated from
Reydon High School in 1940 and quickly moved to Wichita to work for
Stearman Co. (Boeing).
He met and married Ada Lee Davis in
1942. They were married for 55 years prior to her death in 1997. He
proudly served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Navy during World
War II. He was discharged in 1946 and he and Ada moved to Wichita.
He began his career in Wichita working
for Downing Mortuary and later worked 13 years for Broadway Mortuary.
On Jan. 1, 1961, he bought Moody Funeral Home in Newton. He moved his
family there to start a new business, which became Petersen Funeral
Home. Through the years, Tom, Vic Daily, Gregg Petersen and too many
full and part-time people to mention worked to make the funeral home
successful and to be a place where all people were served in a loving
and professional manner.
Before Ada's death, they traveled to
many states and enjoyed outings with friends and golf buddies. He was
a "golfer!" He won many tournaments and the times on the
golf course with his buddies were some of his best. He was noted for
playing golf with Glen Campbell and Alice Cooper on several
occasions.
Several years after his wife died, he
became friends with Alvena Krueger. Alvena had also lost her spouse,
and they became friends and enjoyed and shared time together. Tom
loved Alvena's family and was so glad to be a part of them. Alvena
died on Jan. 25, 2013, after a long bout with Alzheimer's.
Tom was very active in the community
and served as president of multiple civic organizations. He was proud
to be a member of the Masonic Lodge/Shrine (65 years), American
Legion/VFW and the Kiwanis Club. He was raised Baptist and was a
member of the First Baptist Church of Newton for 50 years.
He had a knack for meeting famous
people. Some of the more notable were: Gerald Ford, Bob Hope, Henry
Kissinger, Andy Williams, Dinah Shore, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon
Johnson, Richard Nixon, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, General Omar
Bradly, Mickey Rooney, Mel Tillis, Larry Gatlin, Roy Clark, and Julie
and David Eisenhower.
He is survived by his children, Gregg
(Joan) Petersen and Fred Petersen; grandchildren: Gavan Petersen,
Amanda Petersen (Mike Onofrio), Samantha Petersen (Patrick Leonard),
MaryAnn Petersen and Mark Petersen; great-grandchildren: Conner and
Brooke Petersen, and Charlotte and Georgia Leonard; sister-in-law,
Mary Lou Petersen; and nieces, Cindy and Susan.
He was preceded in death by his wife,
Ada Lee Petersen; parents, Thomas H. and Mary Petersen; brother,
Kenneth Petersen; and beloved companion, Alvena Krueger.
A public visitation will be held from 1
to 5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 16, 2018) at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.
The family will be present to greet friends during this time. In
honor of Tom's wishes, a private family funeral service will be held
at a later date.
Memorial donations can be made to
Caring Hands Humane Society of Newton and the Good Shepherd Hospice.
The family would like to extend our
deep appreciation to the staff of Greenhouse 2012 at Asbury Park.
Their love, care and concern for Tom through this last year was
amazing. There are still angels in this world.
Tom was not a man given to anger, but
he was certainly not bashful on giving his opinion and advice to
anyone. He loved his times with his family and he and Ada made
Christmas times special for all. When asked about living into his
90s, he responded in a typical Oklahoma fashion, "I have had a
good life, most of the time." He will be missed greatly by his
family.
