Douglas Christian Peterson

Douglas C. Peterson, 75, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2013, after a brave and hard-fought three year battle with cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of strength and endurance that will influence his family for generations to come.

Doug was born in Glenwood on July 5, 1938, to Marlin MaGregor and Viola Lucinda (Lula) Staples Peterson. He loved growing up in Glenwood, and as a young boy, enjoyed playing with his brothers and cousins in the mountains around the town. He attended elementary school in Glenwood and then went to junior high and high school in Richfield. He was an All-State and All-American basketball player for Richfield High School, where he made many wonderful and life-long friends. It was in junior high that he met and eventually married Mona Lea Baker of Richfield on March 14, 1955, in St. George Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in January 1963 in the Manti Temple. Doug and Mona were dedicated partners and enjoyed over 58 years of marriage together.

After high school, he worked for Sevier School and Office Supply for 7 years as a typewriter repairman. He then accepted a scholarship to College of Southern Utah (now SUU) to play center position for the Thunderbird basketball team. While there, Doug and Mona were dorm parents at Manzanita to hundreds of girls for 3 years. Doug graduated with honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Physical Education in 1967. After graduation, he accepted a position with American Oil Company in Richfield, where he later became a Chevron product distributor. He worked in the oil business for many years and then became a cattle rancher, which was his lifelong passion and hobby until his death. Doug was always known for honesty and integrity in his work.

Doug joined the Sevier County Search and Rescue organization in 1973. For nearly 40 years, he participated in hundreds of searches and volunteered much of his time to the organization. He served as commander of the Jeep Posse on three different occasions and earned various awards during his many years of service. He loved being a part of the Jeep Posse and enjoyed his close association with all the members. Doug also served as Sevier County Commissioner for 4 years. In addition, he served as president of the Fish Lake Cabin Owners' Association, the Spring Hill Irrigation Company, and the Glenwood Mountain Grazing Association. He truly lived a life of selfless service to the community. Doug was a proud life-long resident of Sevier County.

Doug's greatest joy in life was his family. He was a very loving and dedicated husband and father. He loved his grandchildren immensely and enjoyed following them around the state to watch their athletic and music events. He was a very proud grandpa! Doug was also a faithful high priest and dedicated home teacher in the Richfield 9 ^th ward

Doug is survived by his wife, Mona and their four children: Chet (Sue) Peterson, Richfield; Mike (Susan) Peterson, Provo; Cyndi (Mike) Jorgensen, Richfield, and Mindy (David) Sorensen, Richfield, and 15 beloved grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, with twins on the way. He is also survived by his brothers Kay (Mitzi) Peterson, Glenwood; Nolan (Gail) Peterson, Glenwood; and Dewain (Susan) Peterson, Richfield; and sister-in-law Marlene (Rod) Savage, St. George.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Karson Michael Peterson, and his siblings Erma Lou (Archie) Brown, Marvin (Ethel) Peterson, Owen (LaVee) Peterson and Claire Peterson.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013, at 12:00 noon in the Richfield 9 ^th ward at 190 North 400 West in Richfield. Friends may call Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield and Thursday at the ward chapel from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

The family would like to give special thanks to the Intermountain Health Care Hospice team for all of their expert care.

Funeral Recording