Jack W Peterson

Jack W. Peterson
Centerfield, Utah

    Jack Wesley Peterson was born on January 17, 1928, in McGill, Nevada. He returned home to his Heavenly Father on January 19, 2023, two days after his 95th birthday.  He is the fourth child born to Nels Thomas and Hazel Della Carson Peterson.  Dad grew up in Redmond, and attended local schools. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
      Dad volunteered for the U.S. Army during World War II and served in Japan.  He was very proud of his service and always wore a baseball cap indicating that he was a veteran of World War II.  He loved when anyone would notice his hat and thank him for his service.  
    He met his future wife, LuAnn E. Nielsen, at an outdoor dance floor situated near Redmond Lake.  They were married on October 6, 1948 in Richfield.  They were later sealed in the Manti Temple on July 21, 1955.  
    Dad loved anything to do with boats.  He handcrafted his first boat and named it “Louie” after his wife.  He spent countless hours at Palisade and Redmond lakes teaching anyone who wanted to learn how to water ski. What patience that had to take.  He later bought a larger boat, which he used for fishing as well as water skiing.  He and Mom participated in taking several youth groups from the Centerfield Ward to Lake Powell, teaching them to water ski. They all loved it!  
    Dad loved his RV’s.  During the years when mountain camping was less restrictive than it is today, Dad and Mom would take the RV up 12 Mile Canyon, park it at their favorite flat, leave it all summer, and travel up the mountain road to enjoy it every weekend. Every Easter, they had a favorite camping spot just north and east of the Yuba turnoff.  The grandkids spent countless hours riding wheelers, exploring the area, and getting scrapes and scratches along the way.  Many memories remain of mile marker 17.  
     Later, they purchased a motor home and traveled around the western U.S. and Canada.  Then they discovered Quartzite, AZ.  Every January, they would load up, travel down south, and stay for a couple months.  They spent many hours exploring the area and never seemed to tire of desert camping.  
    In addition to his boat and RVs, Dad loved his wheeler and his tractor.  Even if it didn’t need it, he would start up the tractor and disc the field behind the house and then drive the wheeler around the yard spraying almost nonexistent weeds with weed killer. 
    He raised a beautiful garden and was especially proud of his asparagus plants. Even in the heat of summer, he would be outside caring for his vegetables.  He helped Mom bottle hundreds of quarts of salsa and tomato soup during harvest time.  
    Dad worked doing heating and plumbing as his livelihood. After retiring, he couldn’t hold still and took up woodworking. His loving care and attention to detail created beautiful shelves.  There really wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.  
    He is survived by his wife LuAnn; and children: Jacklyn Bartholomew, Jeri (Jay) Olsen, Garald Peterson, and Natalie (John) Ross; and brother, Max (Claudette) Peterson.    He has 12 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.  
    The family would like to express sincere thanks to the Mission at Community Rehabilitation Center and the Gunnison Valley Hospital for the care and compassion they have shown to dad.  
    We love you--sweetheart, dad, and grandpa.  
    Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Centerfield 2nd Ward Chapel, where friends may call from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Centerfield Cemetery with military honors by the Centerfield American Legion Post #105 and the Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com