Edwin Ralph Peterson Jr.,

Edwin Ralph Peterson Jr., 70, a native of Chicago and a resident of Houma, died at 5:55 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Bayou Blue Presbyterian Church with a reception following. He is survived by two sons, Edwin Ralph Peterson III and Erik Thomas Peterson; two daughters, Kimberly Dawn and Kristin Iris; six grandchildren, Kenn Iwasaki Peterson, Stefan Shige Peterson, Violet Peterson, Daniel Peterson, Michael Peterson and Jenny Peterson; three sisters, Iris Helena, Kathleen Lois and Kristina Joy; one daughter-in-law Mari; Mari’s parents, Norio and Tamako; numerous nephews and nieces, including George, Dwight, Carrie, Noah and Christopher; numerous cousins and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Irvinette Cieslak Peterson; his grandparents, Jan and Helen Baginsky Cieslak and Edwin and Mary Nelson Peterson. After spending most of his childhood in Chicago, he moved with his family to Indiana, where they settled on a small farm near New Winchester. There he attended high school and started on the Warriors basketball team as a center. He attended college at Purdue University of Vermont and Rutgers University. Although he tried many ventures, including car salesman, loan officer and real-estate salesman, he found the greatest satisfaction in the creation of his own company which rehabilitated and painted houses. Most of his adult years were spent in California and Washington until he moved to Louisiana in his last years. He is a member of the Bayou Blue Presbyterian Church. He was a Christian. He will be remembered as a loving, charming and handsome man and a man of faith. He will be greatly missed. Memorial gifts may be presented to the Bayou Blue Presbyterian Church, 3200 Hwy. 316, Gray, LA 70359.