Thomas Oliver Peterson, 79, Minot and formerly of Valley City and Rolla died on Friday, April 22, 2011 in a Minot hospital.

Tom was born on January 4, 1932 in Valley City, ND to Oliver E. and Elvira (Loken) Peterson. He was reared and educated in Valley City where his father was the owner and operator of Oliver's Funeral Chapel. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1949, served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Boxer during the Korean Conflict from January 19, 1951 December 20, 1954 and graduated from Valley City State University in 1958 with a degree in education. Tom was employed as a science teacher and coach at Rolla High School from 1959 until 1969. He moved to Minot in 1969 when he began employment with Job Service North Dakota as an employment counselor. Tom married Shirley Dosch Andrews during this time. He retired in 1994 following 25 years with that agency and continued to reside in Minot.

Tom was a member of the Veterans Foreign Wars Post #753 and he especially enjoyed playing bingo, reading and dancing in his younger years.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Shirley; seven children; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; two siblings; a stepson; two step grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and one child.

Funeral Service : Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan.
Visitation : Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.