Roy Peterson

Roy Petersen died peacefully at his daughter's home in Davis, CA at the age of 84. His beloved bride of 57 years Anna was at his side. He was born Roy Eugene Rentfro on December 19, 1936 in Hyannis, Nebraska to Ethel and Roy Rentfro. After Roy's father died unexpectedly in Kimball, NE in 1939, Roy ventured west with his mother and stepfather Thomas Petersen.

Dad went to Burbank Elementary School and was a proud graduate of Hayward High School. He made lifelong friends and loved playing football even after getting his teeth knocked out. He enjoyed catching up at class reunions. He spent his summers in Nebraska with his big Eastwood and Rentfro extended family.

Upon graduation he joined the Army and was stationed at White Sands, NM. After his service he returned to Hayward and worked for Hunt Wesson.

He married Mom on November 16, 1963 with the encouragement of my mom's aunt Elise Donnaire, who worked at Hunt Wesson and mom's good friend Anna Chico Molina. My parents were on their honeymoon in Nebraska when JKF died. Growing up I remember the smell of tomatoes on his boots in our home in Union City.

He started as a mechanic and eventually became a plant manager. He credited Charlie Bazinet as a mentor. In his spare time he enjoyed riding motorcycles, the Oakland Raiders, bowling, softball, tennis, racing modified midget cars and eventually owning a cabinet making shop in Stockton, CA. He happily made cabinets for his family and friends and a chicken coop for his granddaughter.

In retirement he moved to the geodesic dome cabin he had built in 1978 in Forest Meadows. He appreciated the neighbors on Larkspur Court as well as the Forest Meadows golfing community. Later, to get out of the snow and closer to medical services, he moved to Ripon and enjoyed the friendships and community at Chesapeake Bay.

Dad was a kind and loving partner to my mother Anna. His biggest regret was dying first. He was an amazing grand "papa" to his grand children. He took delight in caring for them in their pre K years and being a part of all of their adventures to follow. He was one proud papa. Tom and I are eternally grateful to have had someone take care our kids who loved them so much.

Roy is preceded in death by his mother Ethel, father Roy, stepfathers Thomas Petersen and Everett Stone, brother Dean Petersen and brother-in-law Jose Tome Granado.

He is survived by his wife Anna Tome Granado Petersen, daughter Kim Petersen (Thomas Robinson) of Davis, grandchildren Kayla and Joshua, brother-in-law Tony Granado and nephews Dean and Jesse.

Per his request, Roy will be laid to rest in Kimball, Nebraska, next to his father Roy Benjamin Rentfro, his mother Ethel Mary Eastwood Rentfro Petersen Stone, and his stepfather Everett Franklin Stone.

Fond memories and expression of sympathy may be shared at https://www.joincake.com/memorial-pages/roy-petersen/#obituary