Jack Charles Petersen April 23, 1947 - August 23, 2020

On Sunday, August 23, 2020, Jack Charles Petersen passed away in his home in Spanish Fork, Utah, at the age of 73.  He was a loving father and grandfather, US Military Veteran, Latter Day Saint, and avid gun enthusiast.

Jack was born on April 23, 1947, in Provo, Utah, to Jack Bach Petersen and Georgette Filimon (aka Cookie Fretz) Petersen. He was the oldest of eight children. After graduating from Springville High School in 1965 (go Red Devils!), he attended BYU, briefly.

Then from 1966 to 1968 he served an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Texas (Texas Mission and Texas South Mission).  After his mission he again attended BYU briefly, and when he couldn’t pay tuition, he knew he would be drafted.

Jack took great pride in his military service and got a kick out of telling people he was a draft dodger.  So, in his own words, he “was drafted into the U.S. military in 1969.  Dodged the draft by enlisting for a 3-year hitch in the Marines.  Was a fugitive from justice when an arrest warrant was issued for being a draft dodger.  Utah County Sheriff’s office declined to send deputies to MCRD, San Diego, where he was currently in boot camp.

His experience during the Vietnam War shaped his career.  He was assigned to a non-combat military occupational specialty (MOS) as a communication center operator and attended comm school at MCRD San Diego.  He served most of his enlistment at Camp Butler, on Okinawa.  On January 24, 1972, he was released from active duty, having served two years, 10 months, and 22 days.

He again attended BYU briefly.

While attending BYU (Hooray, G.I. Bill!), he met a farmer’s daughter from Pasco, Washington, named Kathy.  He thought she was kind of a cute girl, and kind of liked her.

He was hired, over the phone, by Western Union in Los Angeles, but wasn’t happy there.  Smog  and Traffic!  He left to “go back to school.”  Again, briefly attended BYU (G.I. Bill) and UTC (G.I. Bill).

In December of 1973, he married the girl from Pasco.  Their first son, Jared,  was born in 1974, and daughter, Noelle, in 1976.  That spring, Jack and Kathleen (Bleazard) bought a house in Spanish Fork, Utah, where they added to their family: Christian in 1978, Bradley in 1981, and Cindy in 1984.

In 1974, Jack was hired at Mountain Bell, as a repair service clerk, and worked in the Provo Office; quickly becoming a lineman, servicing all of Utah.

In 1990, Jack and Kathy divorced, and Jack took up cycling.  He rode all over Springville, Spanish Fork, and Provo.

In 1996, he married Laura Noreen Baird at Arches National Park.  He regretted not marrying her sooner, but had been advised not to jump into a new relationship “off the rebound.” He always said he “needn’t have worried about Laura – she was pure gold, one in a million.”  Jack and Laura loved watching football, going on long scenic road trips to take photographs, and just spending time together. They were really loving life and living the dream when they both retired in 2004.  Jack from Qwest Communications and Laura from BYU.  In 2007, Jack and Laura bought a new home together in Spanish Fork, on 800 West.  They loved their neighbors and their ward there.  In 2013, Laura’s health began to decline rather rapidly and on July 21, 2014, she passed away unexpectedly, in her home.  Jack missed her every day and often felt her presence with him.

Jack had one career, and many hobbies.  When something piqued his interest, he went all in.  Photography was his lifelong hobby. He received many awards for his scenic work.  The photos he took of his children are family treasures.  He was often the ward  photographer for the various activities and Facebook page.  He was also asked to take portraits for some of the local church leaders.  He loved sharing his talents with his children, who have also dabbled in photography.

Jack’s children have many fond memories of his passion for sports.  Not only did he coach their soccer and baseball teams, he also refereed and umpired many soccer, basketball, and baseball games, throughout Utah County.  When he wasn’t an official, he was a player.  There wasn’t a summer night that wasn’t spent at the Spanish Fork ball fields.

He always enjoyed genealogy and in his later years, he really caught the spirit of Elijah.  After Laura’s passing, he spent many hours serving at the Family History Center.  He was a proud member of the NRA and a Platinum member of the USCCA.   His gun collection became his legacy for his sons and grandsons.  After his passing, they unloaded and gathered more than 57 guns.  He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.  He was proud to be the “last high priest group leader” in his ward.

Preceded in death by his two precious grandchildren, Kasandra and Kaleb; his loving wife, Laura; and his siblings: Steven, Linda, Kathy, Kevin; and his parents.

Survived by his five children: Jared (Mindy) Petersen, Noelle Petersen, Christian (Susan) Petersen, Bradley (Jodi) Petersen, and Cindy Petersen; and 12 grandchildren: Skylar, Izac, Jacob, Michael, Hattie, Kai, Dutch, Anson, Gus, Ryker, Thomas, and Owen.