Lloyd Thomas Petersen

Lloyd Thomas Petersen, husband of Bea Nash Petersen, passed away on Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at the age of 95. Lloyd, also known by his friends as Tom and Pete, enjoyed life on his own terms. He loved people and was always the showman and the life of the party. 

Lloyd was a Christmas Eve baby, born in Lincoln, Nebraska on December 24th, 1928, to parents Henrietta and John Petersen (from Denmark), the middle son of five boys. Lloyd’s brothers John, Dick, Don and Chuck have all passed away.

Lloyd was a proud United States Navy World War II Veteran. After leaving active duty, Lloyd made California his home and had three sons from previous marriages there: Tom Hinton and John (Ann) Petersen, and then Gary (Cathy, and grandchildren Spencer, Jordan and Lucy) Petersen. In California, Lloyd enjoyed fishing, sailing, and boating, often vacationing in Clear Lake. Lloyd really shined at Christmastime and loved to bake all sorts of Christmas cookies. He took great joy in transforming his home into a winter wonderland and was sometimes featured in the local news. In the 1980s Lloyd moved and spent many years living in Spokane, Washington. He was a lifelong avid gardener with a passion for flowers, especially roses. He even grew grapes and tried his hand at wine making. Lloyd had many careers throughout his life working as a television repairman, electronics technician, U.S. Navy Civil Service Program Manager, California Department of Weights and Measures Inspector, and Fire Security Alarm Technician. Always a tinkerer and a handyman, Lloyd enjoyed woodworking and electronics and would always have a project or two going on. 

Later in life, Lloyd met and married Bea and made Myrtle Beach, South Carolina his home where he became stepfather to Maurice Travis, Sheila Travis, Freddie Travis, and Joe Catalano. He spent his later years enjoying the company of his wife, Beatrice, and surrounded by his grand children, Heather, Tyler, Kane, Kiana, Isabella, Layla, and Noah. He continued his adventures here at the beach, including fishing, dancing, and traveling with his extended family. He told many stories from the west coast, such as hunting deer from horseback, fishing using safety pins, pulling sharks tails while diving for abalone, and, of course his love for gardening and costume parties. He lived a very full and happy life. Services will be held at 3pm on Thursday at McMillan Small Funeral Home.

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