John W. Petersen, Captain, USAF
January 08, 1945 – December 13, 2000

John Wesley Petersen, age 55, passed away at his home in Niceville, Fla., on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000. John was born on Jan. 8, 1945, in San Francisco to Lydia Stueve Petersen of Fremont, Calif., and the late Wesley A. Petersen.

He was the loving husband of 29 years of Linda M. Goodson Petersen; and the loving father of 2nd Lt. Jeffrey A. Petersen and wife Samantha of Fayetteville, N.C., and Eric John Petersen at school in Mobile, Ala., and fiancee’ Nicole Bowman. He is also survived by his younger brother, Dale A. Petersen of Fremont, Calif.; aunt, Anita Senter and husband Harvey of Oregon; uncle, Robert L. Stueve and wife Faye of Paris, Ark.; aunt, Jane Ellis Petersen of Whittier, Calif.; and several cousins.

He proudly served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from Hurlburt Field 1st SOW in 1992. He was a command pilot and flew the KC-135, T-39 aircraft and HH-43 Pedro and UH-1 Huey (all light lift helicopters). He served three young Tiger tours to U-Tapao, Thailand, and one long tour to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam and U-Tapao. He served in SAC, MAC, Rescue, DLA and 13th Air Force.

He was a 1966 graduate of San Francisco State College, University of SOCA Flight Safety School and Webster University. He was a member of Rocky Bayou Country Club, Northwest Florida Retired Officers’ Club, and actively served on the Rocky Bayou Owners’ Association. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends on his boat. He coached recreational soccer in several states and enjoyed RC car racing with his sons.

A lifelong Lutheran, his faith was always a very important part of his life. He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Niceville. A Christian memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. with burial, with full military honors, at Heritage Gardens Cemetery.

Flowers are acceptable, or memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Rose Window Fund. McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, is in charge of arrangements.

Burial information: Heritage Gardens, Niceville, FL