Gordon O. Petersen's Obituary
Gordon O. Petersen, 86, of Longview, Texas, entered into his eternal rest on February 16, 2026. A memorial service will be held February 26th, 2026, 2:00pm at Rader Funeral Home, Longview Texas.
Born on October 8, 1939, in Rock Island, Gordon was baptized on November 30, 1939, and confirmed on April 30, 1955, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, laying the foundation for a lifelong and steadfast faith in Christ.
On July 27, 1961, he married the love of his life, Donna Sims. Together they shared 59 devoted years of marriage, building a home grounded in faith, service, and love. They were blessed with two children, Johnna and Jason.
Gordon faithfully served his country for 32 years as a federal employee with the United States Department of Defense within the U.S. Army, retiring in 1992. During his employment he worked at Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island Illinois, Longhorn Ammunition Plant, Karnack Texas, Israeli Air Force Base, Negev Desert, Isreal, Incirlik Air Force Base, Adana, Turkey, and finished his career at Fort Meade, Maryland. In retirement, his dedication to service only deepened. He served as an Elder at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Longview, Texas, taught Bible classes, and generously gave his time teaching English as a Second Language to members of the Hispanic community. He further served the lord by assisting with communion service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tyler, Texas. His heart for missions led him to use his talents that God gave him to serve the people in communities in Texas, Louisiana, China, West Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Gordon found great joy in the outdoors, especially camping, boating, fishing, and gardening. A man of many talents and interests, he enjoyed genealogy, playing the accordion, drawing and painting, landscaping, and developing Bible studies and commentaries on Scripture. His life reflected both creativity and devotion.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna; his parents, Orville and Henrietta Petersen; his stepfather, Walter Roberts; his brother, Gary Petersen; and his granddaughter, Adrienne Malone.
He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Johnna Sticklin of Daingerfield; his son, Jason Petersen and wife Brenda of Hallsville; grandchildren Chelsea Stricklin, Trevor Petersen and wife Ashley, Nolan Stricklin, Brandon Petersen and wife Dr. Lindsay Moore, and Amanda Bradbury and husband Jacob Bradburry; and great-grandchildren Kathryn Gantt, Daxton Petersen, Dawson Petersen, Jase Bradburry, and Amelia Bradburry. He is also survived by his favorite niece, Sue Martin, along with many extended family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance, P.O. Box 4223, Longview, Texas 75606, or online at https://etxalz.org.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” — John 11:25
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