Gerald "Jerry" DeWayne Peterson Sr

Gerald "Jerry" D. Peterson, Sr.,81, of Farmington, passed away from this life in the early hours of Feb 5th 2015 in Farmington, NM after a long battle of multiple health issues. He was born on June 17th, 1933, in Erskine, Minnesota, the son of George and Olga Peterson (Lesetmoe).

Jerry grew up with eight brothers and sisters, all of which have remained very close over the years. He joined the United States Air Force in 1952 where he served at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque as a jet plane mechanic. Of Swedish and Norwegian descent, he was known as "swede" in the service and helped translate.

He transferred to Farmington, NM in 1958 where he worked as a letter carrier and supervisor for the post office for many years and truly loved that job. He developed many friendships with those he worked with and houses he delivered mail to over the years. He married Kennye McDaniel in 1955 and they had three children together, Wayne, Tim and Kelly. In 1975, he married Margie Johnson and two more children became part of the family, Steven and Melissa. Jerry was known to be a hard worker, dependable, and he was a family man. The most important thing in life to him was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Some of his favorite hobbies were fishing, hunting, golfing, working out in his yard, and playing cards. Some of the fondest times with Poppy were spend playing "trick your neighbor" or poker. He is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Margie (Johnson) and her two children Steven Lee (Elaine) of Farmington, UT and Melissa Lee of Farmington, former wife Kennye (McDaniel) Decker of Kirtland and their three children, Wayne Peterson (Carrie) of Tillamook OR, Kelly Murray (Michael,) of Farmington, and Tim Peterson (Rhonda) of Albuquerque, sisters Alice Rundell, Loretta Mosher (Tom), RoxAnne Lindquist and Betty Wagner(Loren) of Minnesota, sister-in-law Naomi Johnson, brother in law Jimmy Johnson (Jackie), best friend George Hilton of Colorado, many golf friends and coffee buddies, and numerous other family members including numerous nieces and nephews and friends. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Ceara, Dana, Jered, Melanie, Tyler, Cambri, Whitney, Aaron, Brianna, Victoria and Josh and three great grandchildren, Adryanna, Soren, and Emilio. He is preceded in death by his brothers Ronald and LeRoy Peterson, sisters Gloria Bergstrom and Lois Evans, sons Patrick Kevin and Meyers Edward, parents George and Olga Peterson, and former brother in law, Eric Johnson.

Cremation will take place and a memorial mass for Jerry will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at Sacred Heart Parish, 414 N. Allen Ave. in Farmington, with Father Tim Farrell as celebrant. Inurnment is private and will take place in Memory Gardens, with full military honors being provided by VFW Post #2182 of Farmington.

Memorial funds may be made to Free to Breath, 1 Point Place, Suite 200 Madison, WI 53719.

Jerry loved life so much he did not want to leave his loved ones, but he is now at peace and no longer in pain. He made sure everyone around him knew they were loved. We will remember him with a smile on his face and toothpick in his mouth.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a wonderful treasure to always hold in your heart" -unknown

Jerry's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.