Grandpa Peterson

I wanted to post my grandfather's obituary. He was such a wonderful person, and some of my fondest memories of him were interviewing him for a school project when I was in middle school and hearing him tell me his World War II stories. And of course, all the trips to disneyland, crazy rides in the van up to the cabin in Wrightwood and all the candy. He will be missed. I was so glad that Logan and I were ablet to attend the funeral with the rest of my family; it was such a special experience and so nice to see all of the extended family.

Clifford Peterson 1923 ~ 2009 Clifford J. Peterson passed away on December 9, 2009 at home at the age of 86. Clifford was born January 18, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Margaret Ann and Abraham (Thomas) Peterson. He graduated from Malad High School in Idaho and worked as a grocery store manager prior to joining the United States Army Air Force where he served as a gunner on a B17 Bomber during World War II. He was the sole survivor of a crew flying missions over France and Germany on the "Scooterini," which was shot down during one of their many missions. When the War ended, Clifford moved to California where he met and married Lunetta June Polk on December 20, 1947. Following graduation from Compton College he earned his law degree from Southwestern School of Law in Los Angeles and enjoyed a successful law practice in Torrance, California for more than thirty years. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions, including Bishop of the Wrightwood, California Ward. His most important interest was his family, and he loved to be with them. He attended every basketball, football, track, and softball game, as well as any other activity of his children, and in fact rarely missed their practices! As an avid sports fan he regularly took his children to see the Dodgers, Lakers, and college sports teams. He was very popular in the neighborhood for piling all of the children in the back of his station-wagon for the Dodger games. When grandchildren came he piled them into his van for regular trips to Chuck-E-Cheese and Disneyland. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lunetta, six children, Pam Waldron (Gary), David (Cynthia), Richard (Patti), Janice Johnson (Craig), Tina Cobabe (Rick), Karen Rowe (Greg), 28 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. His was preceded in death by parents and nine siblings. Funeral services will be held Sat., December 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing Friday, December 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 10:00-10:45 a.m., at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, UT 84010. Interment will follow the funeral service at Bountiful Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be held January 2, 2010 at the Torrance Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22605 Kent Ave., Torrance, California.