PETERSON, John W., passed away Monday, February 2, 2015 in Tulsa, OK. John was born in Leonard, Arkansas. He was the son of Reverend W. W. and Lucy M. Peterson. He graduated from High School at Altus--Denning Arkansas in 1944. He attended Ft. Smith Junior College and worked at Edwards Funeral Home. He served in the U. S. Army Infantry from January 1945 through August of 1946 when he was honorably discharged.

He attended Arkansas Tech at Russellville, AR for two years where he graduated in Radio Broadcasting. He was hired as an announcer at a Radio station KXLR in North Little Rock, AR. John became chief announcer at radio station KWAK in Stuttgart, AR. His responsibilities Included, newscasts, disc jockey, man on the street, and play by play broadcasts of football and basketball.

In 1950 he married Fonda Gilreath from Searcy, AR. They had two children, Manya D. Otis of Jackson, MI and John Ross Peterson of Sherwood, AR and one grandchild, Amber E. Otis of Jackson, MI.

The army recalled him in 1950 and he served In Japan during the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to the 141st General Hospital and later became a radio announcer for the Far East Network of the Armed Forces Radio service in Kokura, Japan. Upon his return from service he accepted a position with radio station KNCM In Moberly, MO. His assignments varied from children's shows to news, music and sports play by play.

In 1953 he became Associate Pastor and Director of Religious Education for Trinity Methodist Church In Moberly, MO. He attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO while serving at the church and graduated In January 1955 with a B. S. degree.

He moved to. Houston, TX and became a Fuller Brush salesman for two months before joining Tennessee Life Insurance Company as a salesman. He was the leading agent for the agency after the first month and maintained that position until he graduated from the Institute of Insurance Marketing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. In October of 1955 he became Associate Director of the Institute of Insurance Marketing at Southem Methodist University where he served for three years.

In 1958, he joined Great-West Life as an agent and then as a supervisor. He moved to Texarkana, TX as Vice President Agency Director of Old Rockland Life Insurance Company In 1959. He was appointed manager of the Tulsa, OK Office of Pacific Mutual Life in March of 1960. He joined the Tulsa office of John Hancock In 1965 as a supervisor and specialized In estate planning.

John married Laura L. (Ezzell) White November l5, 1974.

John Peterson is President and Founder of The Peterson Co. a Financial Planning Firm and has been assisting clients for over 50 years. He was selected to Who's Who in Finance and Industry in 1983. He holds the following professional Designations: Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Financial Planner, and is a Registered Investment Advisor.

He taught Chartered Life Underwriter course at the University of Tulsa for 10 years. He has taught Sunday School and served on the Board of Boston Avenue .Methodist Church. He also served as Chairman of the Membership and Evangelism Committee; was a member of the Wills and Legacy Committee and the Endowment Committee. John and his wife sponsored the establishment of the Pilgrimage Sunday School Class He is a past member of the board of The Tulsa Boys Home where he served as Chairman of the Endowment Committee. He also served on University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane Club and Volunteers of America of Tulsa. John is a member of Pilgrim-Rock Masonic Lodge, Tulsa Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Quota International. He served as President of the Golden Eagle Club at Oral Roberts University and is currently on the Board.

John is a member of and Past President of the Oklahoma Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Tulsa Chapter of Certified Financial Planners, the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the Tulsa Estate Planning Forum. He served as Trustee and Secretary of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

John has lectured widely on financial topics across the United States and the University of Tulsa. Additionally, his Retirement and Financial Planning seminars have been widely attended In the Tulsa Oklahoma area, His articles on estate planning and retirement planning have been published nationally.

He is survived by his wife, Laura L, (Ezell) Peterson of Tulsa, OK, daughter, Manya D. Otis of Jackson MI, son J. Ross Peterson of Sherwood, AR, son-in-law, George M. Otis and granddaughter, Amber E, Otis, Jackson, MI.

Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Moore's Southlawn. Memorial service will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, February 6, 2015 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com