Marvin Kenneth Peterson, 80, a former Washington State Patrol Trooper and resident of the Harbor for most of his life, died at Pacific Care Center, Hoquiam, Friday evening, July 10, 2015. He was born in Cosmopolis on May 6, 1935, the son of Emil V. and Sophia (Putison) Peterson. He attended Cosmopolis school, then Miller Jr. High School, graduating from Weatherwax High School, Aberdeen, in 1953. He went to work for Harbor Plywood before he joined the US Air Force in 1956.
On March 6, 1957 he married Janet M. Johnson who survives at the family home in Aberdeen.
After discharge from the Air Force he applied to the Washington State Patrol taking the job of license examiner in Kennewick, WA. He was commissioned in January 1960 and was sent to Wenatchee. He stayed there for over seven years before returning to the Grays Harbor Detachment. During his 30 years with the Washington State Patrol he held other position besides covering traffic. He also worked in weight control, school bus and tow truck inspections and as a safety education trooper. He retired in 1991.
Marvin continued to work being employed by Friend and Rikalo, and with another worker they started the Stafford Landfill owned by John Friend. He had also was a flagger for Lakeside Industries, instructed first aid for Labor & Industries at Grays Harbor College in the 1970’s and 80’s. He was also selected as trooper of the year by the American Legion. He was also a member of the Aberdeen Eagles, Aerie No. 24.
Besides his wife of 58 years, Janet, of the family home, Marvin is survived by two sons: Marvin D., Hoquiam and Stephen E., Montesano; three daughters: Debra Lynn and husband Ken Grant, Olympia, Julie Ann Throop, Port Angeles and Christine Marie Thomas, Hoquiam; a sister: Katherine Cicerich, Portland, OR; and ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. A son, Gregory Lee Peterson, died in an automobile accident in 1983 and was also preceded in death by a brother, Melvin Peterson.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, July 18th in the chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen. Interment will be in Fern Hill Cemetery where Troopers of the Washington State Patrol will serve as pallbearers. Honors will be accorded by the Aberdeen VFW Post 224 Honor Guard.
A card of condolence with a memory or a message may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, 2208 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen.

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