Norman Peterson

Norman Lee Peterson (84) passed away at his home surrounded by his family on December 17, 2012. Norm was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma on June 11, 1928. At the beginning of the eighth grade Norm’s parents moved the family to Portland, Oregon where he graduated from Gresham High School. In 1946 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, then was recalled and served at the Presidio San Francisco. Norm attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland and in 1956 received a degree in Economics and began his 27 year career with Sears where in 1967 finally landed in Phoenix. Tired of moving his family from city to city, in the 1970’s, he decided to re-educate and start a new career preparing taxes, which he did for almost a decade. In 1982, Norm took early retirement from Sears and started Financial Planning Unlimited. He earned a Certified Financial Planner degree (CFP) and an IRS designation as an Enrolled Agent (EA). Norm met Betty Nociar at the Aragon Ballroom on Santa Monica Pier dancing to Lawrence Welk. They were married six months later, February 4, 1960. Norm was delighted with the arrival of his two boys, Gregory Alan on February 19, 1961 and Jeffrey Clark on September 10, 1964. Norm was known for his kindness, generosity, and dedication to others. He was a committed volunteer serving on many boards including the Boy Scouts, International Association of Financial Planners, Phoenix Rotary 100, and served as president of the Phoenix Arcadia Rotary, Agave Board, and Sales Professionals. He was instrumental in starting and supporting the finance committee for his church. Norm was very proud to have donated over 10 gallons of blood to the local blood banks. Norm had a flair for life, enjoyed dancing, going on cruises, traveling, and working with his clients who became friends. He loved baseball and each year on opening day he and Jeff would play hooky from work to enjoy the start of the new baseball season. Norm was active all of his life and even ran a half marathon with Greg in 2008. In their 52 years of marriage, Norm was a wonderful husband to Betty. He was a great dad to Greg, Jeff, father-in-law to Julie Peterson and an ideal host dad to Helena, a foreign exchange student from Slovakia. He adored his two grandchildren Jeffrey and Jillian, spending a considerable amount of his free time with them. Norm is also survived by his sister Betty Jo Tower who lives in Portland, OR. Words cannot express how much we will miss Norm’s caring and happy personality and amazing smile. He brought much joy and laughter to those he knew. A Memorial Celebration will be held at Creative Living Fellowship 6530 N. 7th Street, Phoenix 85014 at 3:00 pm on Sunday January 6, 2013. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations may be made to Creative Living Fellowship, 6530 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

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