More detail on this person: James (Pete)
Peterson grew up in Troy, Idaho the only son of
Dr. E.S. and Ruth Peterson. He graduated from
North Central High School in Spokane and received
a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Idaho where he was a Kappa Sig. After
graduation he entered the U. S. Army Engineer
Corps and received his wings as a Fixed Wing and
Helicopter Pilot. While serving at Fort Greeley,
AK he married Marion Todd. After his active duty
they moved to Florida where he worked as a Test
Engineer for the Chemstrand Company. Missing the
Northwest weather they moved to Seattle where Jim
joined Boeing for the next 32 years. He worked on
the Minute Man Missile Project and then
transferred to Flight Test where he was Test
Director and Operations Supervisor in Flight Test.
He worked on the Dash 80,707,747,757, AWACS,
Air Force One. He spent his last 2 years in Hawaii
as an Engineering Representative for the Boeing
E-6 aircraft.
He continued his association with the Army
Reserve graduating from the Army Command and
General Staff College and the Army War College.
He retired with the rank of Colonel after 30 years
of service.
He was President of Lakeridge Lutheran Church for
4 years and was active at Holy Trinity Lutheran on
Mercer Island for many years. He especially
enjoyed the men's Bible Study Group.
Jim served as a member and Chairman of the
Mercer Island Utility Board and was a Precinct
Officer for over 30 years. Jim started the
Volksmarch Club on Mercer Island. He and Marion
volksmarched in 50 states and many Canadian
provinces. He was a member of the Boeing Blue
Bills, Mercer Island PROBUS Club, Boeing Road
Runners, and the Museum of Flight. Jim enjoyed
RV 'ing with his family from Alaska to Mexico. He
enjoyed sports and the Boy Scouts with his kids.
In later years he became interested in woodcarving
and golf.
Survivors include Marion his wife of 57 years,
daughter Patrice and grandchildren Mikayla, Kylie
and great grandchild Callie, son Preston and wife
Meg and grandchildren Grant and Dean.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity
Church at 2:00 pm on July 13. An interment with
military Honors will be held at Tahoma National
Cemetery, July 14 at 3:00pm. Remembrances can
be made to Medic One or Holy Trinity Church or
Hospice.
Published in The Seattle Times on June 29, 2014
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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