James Tranter Petersen

1931 - 2015

James Tranter Petersen
James Tranter Petersen went to his final resting place, peacefully with his family and loved ones close by, on January 18, 2015. He was born in Seattle, Washington, on November 15, 1931, and he hit the jackpot by being adopted by James (aka Big Jim) and Ethel Petersen. Jim graduated from University of Washington followed by two years of service in the United States Air Force. He worked in the financial services field in Seattle until being recruited to move to Pasco and join Ed Ray at Dunning Ray Insurance in 1962. That was a monumental decision that would result in Jim forming Benefits Northwest and building the foundation for what would become one of the most successful independent wealth management businesses in eastern Washington State, Petersen Hastings Investment Management. "I just wanted to help people and I figured my skills in the financial service field were best suited to help others," is the response he would give when asked why he started the business. Jim was very talented at hiring good people. Delivering on promises was important to Jim, so Carol Harris joined him during the startup of the business in 1962 to help him insure that promises were kept. In 1976, a chance tennis game resulted in Roger Hastings partnering with Jim and together they expanded the business beyond the Tri-Cities. In 1986, Jim hired his son, Jeff, to join him in the business. This resulted in one of the most rewarding relationships a father and son could ever hope to achieve. One of Jim's most proud moments was in 2013 when Jim's grandson, Matthew, joined the firm, and three generations of Petersens were now blessed with the opportunity to work and learn together. Jim continued to offer business advice up to the very end of his life.
Jim enjoyed sports and was an avid Husky, Mariner, and Seahawk fan. For over 20 years, the Petersen "boys" would make the overnight annual trek to Seattle for a Seattle Mariners game. Three generations of Petersens booked their annual commitments around this date each year. Only 2 years were missed during two decades.
Jim loved his Friday golf outings at Tri-City Country Club with his "buddies" and everyone that knew Jim, knew that it was a futile effort to schedule any appointment for Jim on Fridays. Jim loved these guys, even when one of them, Dick Hoch, knocked him out after his drive hit the women's tee block and came back and hit him square in the forehead. Maybe Jim's success with the weekly wagers on the golf course, especially the "double down" on the 18th hole, was more than adequate compensation for a few "setbacks".
The Seattle Seahawk football games provided Jim with a little excitement during football season and especially during his final weeks. His daughter, Jill, joked that "Dad" was in line getting his wings during the first half of last Sunday's Seahawk Championship game and couldn't help until the second half.
Jim was married on August 28. 1953 to his first wife, Nancy Sunde, and together they had 5 children, Cynthia K. Petersen, Kellie L. Sladek (Bryan), Jeffrey C. Petersen (Marj), Jill Petersen Maisonneauve (Jean), and Erik J. Petersen (Susan). Jim's daughter, Kellie pre-deceased Jim in 2007.
Jim was remarried on April 17, 1970 to JoAnn Goldsbury. With JoAnn, he was immediately blessed with 3 step-children, Angela Y. Filip (Jeff), Jeffrey J. Goldsbury (Bonnie), and Tracy Conaway-Richards (Kevin).
After a long illness, JoAnn went to be with the Lord on October 19, 2011.
His grandchildren are Aubreyanna Sommers (Todd), Celeste Wright, Matthew Petersen, Joel Petersen, Rhondel Pierce, Rhonda Sommers, Ava Rose Petersen, Elijah Waters (Annemarie), Anna Waters, Jordan Filip (Esther), Johnnie Goldsbury, Jake Conaway, and Tate Richards. He also has four great-grandchildren.
Jim was a long-time member of the West Highlands United Methodist Church, a former Kennewick General Hospital Foundation Board member (now Trios), former Tri-City Country Club Board member, and an avid reader, especially historical fiction, biographies and the Wall Street Journal.
In July, 2012 Jim met Pat Gilbert and together they became inseparable companions. The blessings that Pat brought to Jim are too many to mention and the family is so grateful to her for the joy that she brought Jim and the care she provided Jim during the decline of his health.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Oro and Kelly Ganguly (Kelly's Loving Care) for the special care they both provided Jim during his illness and in his final days.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2015, at Columbia Foursquare Church, 700 Comstock, Richland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center or Tri-Cities Chaplaincy.
Express your thoughts and memories on our online Guestbook at www.einansatsunset.com