Gordon Edward Peterson \"Gordy\", 88, beloved husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother and friend passed away peacefully on Dec. 5 at home surrounded by family. He was born September 5, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Willis Louis Peterson and Ruth Larinda Jeppson in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dad grew up in Salt Lake City, Omaha, Nebraska and Bedford, Indiana. He attended Granite High School \46. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1948 where he served for five years in the Fifth Airforce, Asia Command. He was stationed in Yokahama and Nagata, Japan. He was a VHFDF Radio Operator and technician for the U.S Air Force. He attained the rank of Master Sgt., and was the highest ranking NCO -IC at Nagata Airbase. He was selected from his squadron to continue Air Force pilot training with the 3384 Technical Training Wing at Keesler Airforce Base, Miss. He served in Korea to set up radio transmission towers to guide pilots during the Korean War. He was also a member of the Fifth Air Force Ski Team.
After the war, he returned to Salt Lake City, where he met Florence (Tillie) Wagner, his sweetheart. They were married and sealed in 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple and were married for 63 years.
Gordy was very outgoing and was loved by everyone he encountered in his life. He had varied interests and hobbies and met people along the way who became lifelong friends. Throughout his life, he enjoyed flying, boat racing, car races--anything with speed. His love for the outdoors was unmatched. He hunted fished, camped and ran rivers in many of the wildest back country regions of the west.
After the war, Gordon came home to help run the family business and moved into various sales-related positions. In 1969 he became the Zone Sales Manager for Mercury Marine for the western United States and retired after 30 years of service. Some of his favorite assignments were to head up the Mercury racing snowmobile team and lead the camps and special markets which took him to many places throughout the USA, Canada and Alaska. He was an affable person and had a twinkle in his eye. There wasn\t a sale he couldn\t close. He was always respectful and never pushy. He treated everybody with dignity, friendship and respect.
After retirement he and Tillie were able to buy a little ranch in the Bear Lake Valley in Bloomington, Idaho where he spent time hunting, relaxing, enjoying the outdoors and a lot of quality family time. He made many cherished friendships in The Bear Lake Valley.
Gordon was a member of the LDS faith and became more active in his later years. He was an avid reader of history and enjoyed watching western movies and anything starring John Wayne.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Florence (Tillie) and four children, Susan Rosenvall (Craig), Barbara Fairbanks (Kirt), Jane Peterson (Joe Baird), Gordon Peterson, Jr. (Mary). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his three brothers Willis Louis (Billy) Peterson, Jr., Robert (Bob) Peterson and Gary Peterson.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 11:00 am in the Olympus 4th Ward located at 2675 East 4430 South, Holladay, Utah. Friends and family may call on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East Dimple Dale Road (10600 S), Sandy, Utah or from 9:30 am to 10:45 Saturday prior to the services at the church. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
