Alfred Virgil Peterson

Alfred Peterson

Las Vegas, Nevada

Alfred Virgil Peterson, 60, passed away Monday, May 11, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born April 26, 1955 in Ephraim, Utah to Clarence and Charlotte Barney Peterson. Al's family moved to Sterling where he spent the remainder of his childhood.

Al grew up learning the fine art of sheep herding by his father. He spent summers with his father on the mountain herding sheep as well as riding horses and fishing. When he was sixteen he started working as a hired sheep herder. He graduated from Manti High School in 1973. Al married his high school sweetheart, Carma Alder, on December 8, 1972 in Manti. He worked on farms including dairy farms until he decided to enlist in the Army.

Al joined the U.S. Army where he served for almost 24 years all while raising 4 children: Jeramie, Kevin, Kenneth and Wendy. As a family they went on the adventure of their lives, seeing the world. He served overseas for 11 years and stateside for approximately 13 years. He was deployed to serve in Korea and Germany for hardship tours, which means without his family, and courageously served in the Persian Gulf War in the Middle East and Somalia Conflict in Africa. He retired after his tour in Germany on January 1, 1997 as a First Sergeant at the young age of 41. Since his retirement, he worked mostly as an armed security officer in Las Vegas. His children made him a grandfather 14 times. After 33 years of marriage Al and Carma divorced. Al remarried on March 11, 2009 to Yo ng Kwon in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Al was a fighter, which made him a great soldier. He was also a man with a kind, loving heart who gave the greatest bear hugs. He was a gun and knife enthusiast, accumulating several collections. He had a great love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. He enjoyed riding horses and motorcycles, but most of all his four wheeler. He was also good with his hands mechanically and created works of art with wood, leather, and other media. Most of all he was a loving father and grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and hero.

He is survived by his wife, Yong Kwon-Peterson; and children: Jeramie (Leslie) Peterson, Kevin (Erin) Peterson, Kenneth (Carrie) Peterson, and Wendy (David) Lee; 13 grandchildren; siblings: John (Bobi) Peterson, Barbara Donaldson (Jerry) Moen, and June Larsen.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Breanna Peterson; brothers: Larry Peterson, Tony Peterson; nephews and nieces: Wayne Ludvigson, Trevor Peterson, Teresa Peterson, Tina Peterson, and Rosanne Peterson.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 22, 2015, at 1:00 pm in the Ephraim Stake Center, 400 East Center Street where friends may call from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Burial will be in the Sterling Cemetery with military rites by the Manti American Legion Post #31. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.