James R. Petesen

October 25, 1940 - September 21, 2020

James R. Petersen, 79, of Clinton passed away Monday, September 21, 2020. Graveside services will take place privately at the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com. James R. Petersen was born October 25, 1940 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of William (W.C.) and Gladys (Dierks) Petersen. He was a 1958 graduate of Clinton High School and earned his B.A degree from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa and went on to earn his Master’s Degree from Northeast Missouri State in 1971. He taught P.E. in Fairfield for nearly 20 years. He coached 8th and 9th grade Basketball and High School Baseball; he led the Babeball team to the state tournament in 1979. He was the owner and operator of Quick Wash in Clinton; retiring in 2002. James is survived by nieces and nephews: Barb (Adrian) Deering of Clinton, Tom (Cindy) Moore of Kingman, Arizona, Terri (Wally) Schilling of Camanche, David (Christine) Thoms of Spring Hill, Florida, Brian Thoms of Clinton, Laurel (Tom) Day of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Joe (Sheri) Hunter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bill (Kim) Hunter of Phoenix, Arizona, and Kathy (Charles) Schulte of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother-in-law Robert Hunter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Cheral Thoms, Jeri Kay Hunter, and Janice Turner, one infant brother and nephew Jeff Hunter.