Wayne Thomas Petersen

Wayne Thomas Petersen was born in Montpelier, Idaho on October 24, 1959 to RaymondThomas Petersen and Gwen Hunsaker. He was the third of eight children. Wayne was a born salesman and enjoyed a challenge. At five years old he began carrying a briefcase full of Christmas cards to sell to neighbors. When referring to this first business venture in later years, he would always ask, “Who could say ‘no’ to a five-year-old?” He gained confidence in his abilities and got creative in his money-making pursuits. He picked the neighbors’ flowers and tried to sell them back to them. He caught a snake and put it in his sister’s baby doll buggy and charged children to come look at it.

Wayne was the first son in a remarkably loving family full of faith and laughter, hard work and support. The family lived in Burley, Idaho and Elko, Nevada before settling in Cokeville, Wyoming near extended family. Wayne was a lively, mischievous child, but grew to be a pleasant, respectful teenager. He attended Cokeville High School and played basketball, football, ran track, wrestled, and was the valedictorian of his class. He grew up changing sprinkler pipe, riding horses, herding cattle, and milking cows in the cold, early mornings. He loved to work hard and be productive.

Wayne first met his eternal love and wife of almost 45 years at the Montpelier, Idaho A&W where Kelly worked as a carhop. After flipping fry sauce on her, their love blossomed and held fast like the fry sauce stain on her shirt. He asked her out, but because she was only 15-years-old, her mother had her to tell him to come back when she turned 16. Kelly’s response was, “He’s looking for a date, not a wife.” Wayne and Kelly dated in later teenage years and exchanged letters while Wayne served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fukuoka, Japan. Wayne loved the Japanese people. They were kind and genuine, respectful and hard working, and kept everything clean and orderly in their homes and cities. These were characteristics Wayne appreciated and exhibited throughout his life as well.

A few months after returning home from his missionary service, Wayne and Kelly were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 30, 1981. They took a road trip to California for their honeymoon and had very little money along the way. They slept on beaches and stayed with relatives for part of the time to save money and returned home with $1 left to their name.

Wayne attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in finance. He remained a die-hard BYU fan throughout his life, often waking his children up in the mornings singing the Cougar Fight Song’s notorious words, “Rise and shout, the Cougars are out.” He always loved to cheer for the underdog, and would have been proud that we watched BYU pull from behind for the win last weekend by his bedside.

Wayne worked his way through college selling cars at Cougar Motors and rekindled his childhood affinity for sales. His plan was to pursue an MBA in Mesa, Arizona, so they moved there to establish residency while Wayne sold cars, which he enjoyed so much that he decided to pursue the car business as his vocation. In Arizona they met dear life-long friends, learned valuable lessons, and bought, ran, and sold an ice cream shop called The Refresher. After three years in Mesa, they decided to be closer to family and moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1987, where they have resided ever since.

Wayne worked for Ken Garff Honda for over 30 years. He often held the title of “Salesman of the Month” and moved his way up in the company to become a General Manager of the downtown Salt Lake Honda dealership. He was an excellent leader and never asked “his boys” to do anything he wasn’t willing to do. He led by example in all aspects of his life. Wayne’s office was a solace to many. He taught and counseled and encouraged those who needed help. He corrected when necessary, showing love for others and a desire for them to reach their potential. He laughed and joked and cared for many while implementing strategies to help the business and individuals succeed. He was always thrilled when his Service, Parts, and Sales teams rallied and worked to earn the distinguished Presidents’ Award, which they did several times. The Garff family and other beloved associations in the car business and beyond has blessed our family’s life for decades.

Wayne and Kelly loved traveling together and explored many beautiful places throughout the world. They loved spending time with their children and grandchildren at home or on family trips. Wayne loved to work hard and put that love into everything he did whether it was family, church callings, his job, or his yard. He loved visiting family and working on the family land in Cokeville. He enjoyed fishing and going on trips to Sage Valley, near Afton, Wyoming where he spent time throughout his life working and making memories.

After Wayne’s retirement, he and Kelly were called to the Scotland Ireland mission, but covid put their departure on hold, as did a serious ATV accident in Cokeville. Wayne was transported to the Kemmerer hospital and life-flighted to the U of U hospital where he died twice on the operating table. He spent seven weeks in the hospital undergoing surgeries, treatments, and therapies while seeing many miracles. We are ever appreciative to those who worked to preserve his life and cared for him during those long weeks when we could not be with him as a result of the pandemic. Wayne returned home miraculously to grateful and loving family and friends. About one year later, Wayne and Kelly were able to depart for their mission.

They kept their assignment to Scotland and served an 18-month mission, where they ministered to many and loved even more. Whenever someone asked Wayne what his favorite part of the mission was, his response was always, “the kids,” which meant the young elder and sister missionaries. Wayne and Kelly improved lives and theirs were touched in return. They enjoyed the beautiful landscape and people of Scotland. 

After returning home from their mission, Wayne’s mental decline was sharp and dramatic. Kelly cared for him patiently and lovingly as he suffered the effects of dementia. He moved to memory care at Whisper Cove in August of 2023 and received much love and gentle care from the staff and CNA’s, and the family wishes to thank them for their genuine love for and attentiveness to Wayne. We also wish to thank Wayne’s sisters and brothers-in-law who would drive long distances every week for three years to visit him for hours to show him love and help with his care.

Wayne is a disciple of Jesus Christ, and has always been a stellar example in all things. He was dedicated to and believed in Kelly and encouraged her in all her interests, talents, and friendships. Their marriage was beautiful and filled with love, adventure, and “character-building” which Kelly and the kids didn’t always willingly embrace. He never quit until the task was complete. He never spoke ill of others. He was generous with his love, time, service, money, and sound advice. He believed in everyone and worked to help them rise to their potential. He was dependable in doing his duty, no matter what it was. He was calm and patient. He was resilient and positive. We are forever grateful for his love and influence.

Wayne passed away on December 29, 2025 at the age of 66 in his care facility in Kaysville, Utah surrounded by his wife and children and their spouses, his parents, siblings, in-laws, nephews, and friends who all adore him. We wish to thank Shannon Warenski and the staff at Russon Mortuary for their love, kindness, warmth, and gentle care of our beloved dad. Wayne is preceded in death by his grandparents Lorenzo Hunsaker, Ella Larsen, Raymond Petersen, Afton Dimond and his sister Roxie. He is survived by his wife, Kelly, his children and their spouses Lindsie and Scott Hazen, Candice and Jordan Wheeler, Riley and Natalie Petersen, and Marly and Jake Dearden, as well as his 14 grandchildren. He is also survived by his parents Raymond and Gwen Petersen, his siblings and their spouses Cheryl and Joe Buckley, Cindy and David Holmes, Becky and John Taylor, Kenny and Andra Petersen, Jan and Darren Moody, and Jerry and Kara Petersen, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Wayne will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 at at 11:00 AM at the Kaysville Crestwood Stake Center, located at 855 East Mutton Hollow Road in Kaysville, Utah. Family and friends are invited to a viewing held in Wayne's honor on Thursday evening, January 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Russon Farmington Mortuary, 1941 East Main Street, Farmington, Utah and again at the Church on Friday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 prior to the services. Interment services for Wayne will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2025 at the Cokeville City Cemetery, in Cokeville, Wyoming at 12:00 PM.

A Facebook Live stream of Wayne's services will be available on this obituary page on Friday, January 9, 2025 starting at approximately at 10:45 AM, before the start of the service.

Wayne's family is grateful for the many expressions of love, prayers and support so many have offered. Wayne's life stands as a testament to us all of his faith, service, sacrifice and enduring love. We Love you Dad!