Irvin T. Petersen, 85, passed away June 7, 2011 at his home. He was born July 11, 1925 in Danevang, TX to the late Axel Petersen & Signe Lycke Petersen. He moved to Palacios in 1930 and graduated from High School in 1943. Irvin joined the navy in 1944. After the service he attended the University of Houston and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Business Management. He joined his sister Ann Lee Petersen as co-owner of Petersen's Restaurant in 1950 and remained there for over 50 years.
Irvin has been actively supporting community projects, especially those involved with youth. He loved "The City By The Sea" and has always promoted it. He has been involved with Local and State awards in FFA; Past Director of City State Bank; served as director of Matagorda Real Estate Finance; served as director of Palacios Industrial Foundation; served as director of Palacios Development Corporation; retired member and former secretary of Palacios Volunteer Fire Department; past president of Mid Coast Restaurant Chapter; Honoree of Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award in 1988; member and past president of Palacios Lions Club; member of Palacios Rotary Club; member & former secretary of Seawall Commission; & member of the local Masonic Lodge.

He loved gardening and spending time with his children and grandchildren and never missed an activity or sporting event for any of them as long as his health permitted.

His wife Letha Yearwood Petersen, brothers Eric & Leo Petersen, and sisters Ann Lee Petersen, Elnora Oglesby, Laura Adams, Gene Michelson & Ruth Blanton all preceded him in death. Survivors include daughter Tami Fort of Palacios; son Brent Petersen & wife Dawn of Nassau Bay; grandchildren Amber Dale, Karch Petersen, Kyle Petersen, Spencer Fort, Heather Fort and Jennifer Fort and great granddaughter Kynleigh Steffek.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5pm to 7pm Thursday at the Palacios Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Friday, June 10, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Palacios with James Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Danevang Cemetery in Danevang, TX. Pallbearers will be Terry Oglesby, Gerald Taylor, Tracy Perkins, Larry Taylor, Dax Oglesby, Trent Oglesby, Michael Glaros and Bill Glaros. Memorials may be made to Houston Hospice of El Campo or the First Baptist church of Palacios.