Raymond Reid Peterson

1934 ~ 2021

Viewing:

Dec. 31, 2021
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
2795 East Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah
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  • Service:

    Dec. 31, 2021
    11:00 AM
    2795 East Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah
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    Raymond Reid Peterson was born January 24, 1934, in Manti, Utah to Andrew William Peterson and Lucille Reid Peterson, and was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After Andrew’s passing, His mother later married Frank A. Lovewell, soon after Frank’s service during WWII. Ray married Judith Lynn Christensen in the Salt Lake Temple, she was his rock and foundation until her death, in 2019. Ray’s father died when he was eight years old. Ray attended Hamilton Grade School, where he was captain of the Traffic Boys. He attended Roosevelt Jr. High and South High School. Because of his father’s death, Ray being the eldest, began working at an early age. He started working to help support the family by doing yard work and tending kids. He also picked peas and cherries. Additionally, he worked at service stations, the Deseret Gym, and cleaned back rooms of stores. He was also employed by Nu Crisp Popcorn in Sugarhouse, as a lot boy at Ken Garff used cars, Hibbs Men’s clothing, Mullett & Kelly and Wolfes’ Sportsman Store, Prudential Insurance, Bakers Shoes, and as a credit reporter & ethical drug auditor for Dun & Bradstreet. He continued working while attending the University of Utah. After WWII he went to Ft. Douglas, in an attempt to join the armed forces. In spite of his pleadings, he was disqualified due to asthma. Shortly after, he was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the Central States Mission. This included the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. He served under mission President Alvin R. Dyer. During his mission, He was caught in the disaster of the year, a tornado that killed 100 people. He crawled out the second story of a framed building and was able to rescue a little native American girl pinned under a large roof of the home next door. He became the supervising elder of southeast Kansas and had to buy a ’54 Chevrolet Bel Air Coupe. He struggled with his foot problems, but finished an honorable mission. During his mission He saw Hank Aaron play at the All-Star game After his return from his mission, he re-entered the U of U, where he was active in Delta Phi, where he won a song fest. He met Judith Lynn Christensen at a Tri Delta Sorority dance, and they were later married in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they were active in the Salt Lake Jaycees. He was a chairman of the first intermountain collegiate jazz festival in Utah, big bands and vocalists. During this time, he worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep with George A. Breon Co and then Mead Johnson covering UT and ID. He then worked for Deseret Pharmaceutical where he became national sales manager and a manager of investing the company profit sharing plan. He was a member of Kiwanis Club, safety committee program chair. He received the Reed Culp award, Diamond Hixon award-Kiwanian of the year. He was a member of the Ft. Douglas Hidden Valley and the Salt Lake Country Club. He also belonged to the “Lost Ballers” and “Dirty Shirts,” both golfing groups. He also served as the president of the Salt Lake Police and Sheriff Honorary Colonels. He was an Honorary Colonel of the Utah National Guard, and as a member of the International Footprinters Association, wherein he was given the Humanitarian of the Year award. He played golf with a long list of golf pros and celebrities, courses and charities. He was also a part of the ABA All Stars Game Committee, University of Utah Chairman of President’s Club, and John R. Park Society Health and Sciences Committee. He was a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors before he retired.

    He is preceded in death by his wife, Judith Lynn Peterson, his lifelong companion who provided him with unwavering support. His parents, his daughter, Lynda, his sister in law Janet L. Cummings, three brothers-in-law, Harvey Shafer, Howard Brierley and Hugh Cummings, two nephews, Ron Shafer and Cory Cummings. He is survived by two younger sisters, LaRee Shafer and Connie Brierley, his children Lori and Mark, his grandchildren, Madison Gunn (Kenny), Lynda Timothy and Peterson Timothy (Jennifer) and four great grandchildren, Lucas, Amelia, Nora and Benjamin.

    Funeral services will be held December 31, 2021, 11:00 am, at 2795 East Crestview Drive. Prior to that, a viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am, same day. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City Utah.

    For those who cannot attend, please join us via zoom, the link is provided below
    https://zoom.us/j/99060082403


    Guestbook/Condolences

    May I extend to you my sincere sympathy at your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences in this hour of sorrow. Ray will be long remembered for his steadfast service to his host of friends and to the community. Mac and Roger Connole


    - Arthur Connole