Thomas A. Peterson, 79, of Sedro-Woolley, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 6, 2018. He fought a courageous seven month battle with cancer. He was born February 15, 1939 in Naches, Washington to Carl and Calla (Armstrong) Peterson.
He served in the US Air Force four years, and another two years of Reserve duty. Tom served on the Sedro-Woolley Planning Commission. He was part of the breakfast group, Band of Brothers. Tom was also a member of the Skagit Community Art Theater, SCAT. He produced a play while involved with SCAT, and is best known for his Teddy Roosevelt role in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” He was also the downtown bartender in the annual Sedro-Woolley Bank Robbery reenactment. He was involved with the Sedro-Woolley Kiwanis Club, cooking lots of Tarheel Burgers at local fairs and carnivals to help raise money for various charities. Tom loved to dance!
He was your Meat Manager at Thrifty Foods for 37 years until he retired and went to work for Sedro-Woolley High School until 2008. He finally retired from the school district so he could take care of his wife, Beverly.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Beverly; children, Dawn and Don Nilsen, Tony and Christina Ehlert, Teresa and Ken Potashner, Tom Zehrung; and many grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Calla (Armstrong) Peterson; son, Darrell; daughter, Sally; four sisters, Carol, Doris, Betty and Dorothy; three brothers, Carl, Johnny and Mack.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 1:00PM at Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley, with Pastor Jim Cannon, officiating and Military Honors.
I worked with Tommy at Thrifty Foods in Sedro-Woolley. He was such a kind and funny man. I was just thinking of him the other day. I am so deeply sorry and very saddened to read of his passing. Even after all of these years of no longer working together, he ALWAYS gave me a big hug when we’d see each other. He was truly a good friend. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
I always liked Uncle Tom because he would help anybody at anytime. He was a good Uncle to me and I have good memories of him. I will miss him dearly.
Tom was a wonderful man and my friend when he worked at SWHS. He would come into my room at the end of the day, or I would see him in the hallway and he always had that beautiful smile on his face and would ask about my day. He was such a kind and sincere man. Students respected him, because he respected them. Our community has lost a kind and gentle soul – he will be greatly missed.
Our condolences to Tom’s family. I always looked forward to working with Tom during the Sedro- Woolley Museums Bank Robbery reenactment every year. Tom also became a mentor to our son Ryan when he was in High School. Ryan is a special needs adult and Toms patients and friendship meant a lot to Ryan.
I am so saddened by this, my prayers are with Toms family, I simply cannot say enough good things about you sir… you were truly a gentleman and my friend…