Raymond ‘Pete’ Peterson died peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Davis Funeral Home.
Pete was born in Chicago, IL on December 7, 1940 to Bernice (Hansen) and Raymond Peterson. His family relocated to Essex, IA, where he grew up and graduated from Essex Junior-Senior High School in 1959. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a flight line mechanic at Ellsworth Air Force Base in SD. Pete was honorably discharged in 1966.
He married Joanne Lee Henton in 1962 after a whirlwind courtship. With humor, grace, and abiding love, Pete and Joanie raised three children, Kelley Dorman, Stacey (Craig) Stanek, and Kristy (Steve) Richmond. He was deeply loved by his eight grandchildren, who called him Jumpy: Christopher (Heather) Stanek, Jared (Carolann) Stanek, Shay (Nick) Esposito, Tori Stanek, Caleb (Olivia) Richmond, Garrett Pollock (Mickenzie Lowry), Fallyn Richmond (Taurey Carr), and Tracy Pollock (Yadi Perez). He was a proud great-grandfather to Ella Stanek, Gage Stanek, Ashton Stanek, Logan Stanek, Emery Esposito, Saylor Esposito, and Gabrielle Stanek.
Pete and Joanie returned to her hometown in Wyoming in 1964 and Riverton quickly became his home, too. Pete worked hard all of his life. He was employed by Campbell Construction, White Ditching, and Amoco before starting a roustabout company, Badger, Inc. in 1981 with Tim McFadden and Eddie Leake. He retired from the oilfield in 2014 at the age of 73. He loved his years at Beaver Creek and the many friends he made there. He told the stories fondly until the very end.
Pete is survived by his wife of 61 years, his daughters and sons-in-law, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Jeanne (Ronald) Beck of MO; his beloved nephew, Jason (Marci) Campbell, and niece, Valerie (Trent) Crippen and their children; his brothers-in-law, Chip (Maryanne) Campbell, Tom (Sarah) Campbell, his sisters-in-law, Mary Campbell, Cindy (Allen) Brown, and Suzee (Paul) Stafford along with numerous other nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Alice and Don Campbell.
Pete’s family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, especially Mollie and Whitney, and to Dr. Adams and Colleen of the VA for the skilled and loving care that allowed him to remain at home.
If you are so inclined, in lieu of flowers please donate locally to those in need in remembrance of Pete’s quiet generosity and gentle kindness; in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.