Orville Banks Petersen's Obituary
Orville “Pete” Banks Petersen, 92, died Nov. 23, 2018 of complications of old age and cancer. He was the youngest of nine children, born May 27, 1926 in Salt Lake City to Peter Melvin Petersen and Viona Leta Banks. His oldest sibling was 19 when he was born.
He began school in 1931 when the Depression of the ‘30s was at its worst, but he had a happy childhood nonetheless. In his childhood he lived in an apartment on the block north of Temple Square where the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now stands. At about age 12 he acquired the nickname “Pete” among friends, but to his parents and siblings he was always Orville.
He was a proud graduate of West High School and the University of Utah. Here he made lifelong friends and had fond memories of teachers and classmates whom he considered a blessing in his life. In his 80s, he chaired several West High class reunions, bringing together high school friends from three different graduating classes of the 1940s.
On his 18th birthday in 1944 he received a letter requesting he report for active duty in the United States Army. He reported to Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City on June 2, six days after receiving the letter. A veteran of World War II, he served as an airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corps in the United States and Europe.
From 1949-1950 he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ontario, Canada. Here he met his future wife and the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Eyre.
On May 29, 1952 the two were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They shared 57 wonderful years until her death on Feb. 2, 2009. He is survived by their four children, Michael (Laurie), Brent (Jeri), Julianne, and David (Sharon), 10 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many different callings, including bishopric counselor, High Priest Group assistant and thirteen years as a ward clerk.
His working career was in the wholesale home appliance distributing industry. For 30 years he was a member of the Holladay Rotary Club where he served for a time as president.
He and Bonnie Jean loved to travel and saw much of the world. The family also took numerous driving and camping trips across the western US in their station wagon.
On a humorous note, he had a resemblance to Wendy’s hamburger founder Dave Thomas. In 1996 he was one of five finalists in the chain’s national Dave Thomas look-alike contest. He and Bonnie Jean traveled to New York City for the finals.
He was forever learning, never afraid to ask questions and discover new things. After Bonnie Jean passed, he enrolled in several continuing education classes at the University of Utah. His favorite was one taught by poet and writer Emma Lou Thayne in which he began writing stories of his life. The class led to a six-year association with a group of ladies from the class. He looked forward to his “homework” each month, and his family is blessed by having his stories.
He was known for his sense of humor and never met a stranger. He was quick to say hello and give a smile to everyone he met.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 in the LDS chapel at 3070 E. Nila Way in Holladay, Utah. A viewing will be Friday, Nov. 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the chapel, and from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Saturday prior to the funeral.
Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery, 5490 Vine Street, Murray, Utah.
What’s your fondest memory of Orville?
What’s a lesson you learned from Orville?
Share a story where Orville's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Orville you’ll never forget.
How did Orville make you smile?