Roy W. “Pete” Peterson passed away March 5, 2007, at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville, at the age of 77. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Nov. 29, 1929.
His grandparents, William and Elizabeth Peterson, raised Pete in the Des Moines area. He attended a small kindergarten-through-twelfth grade school in Johnston, Iowa. Pete enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and served during the Korean War. He was an aviation storekeeper in FASRON 112 and 114 and was stationed in Kodiak, Guam and at NAS Whidbey.
Pete developed a love of flying and took every opportunity to fly. During his tour of duty at the Naval Air Station, Pete met Margaret Ducken and a romance soon blossomed. Pete and Margaret were married in Oak Harbor on July 28, 1951.
Pete left the Navy in March of 1955 as an AK2. Oak Harbor became his home and he soon found a job with the Darigold Company as a driver on a retail route in Oak Harbor. When the Oak Harbor plant closed, he was transferred to a retail route in Skagit County.
In 1963 Pete purchased a share in the Anacortes veneer plant and worked at the mill for many years. When the mill closed, Pete turned his business interests to Oak Harbor, purchasing the Goodyear Tire shop on Midway Blvd. When Pete semi-retired he went to work for the Oak Harbor School District. He loved driving his big yellow bus and he always enjoyed the kids.
Pete was a dedicated volunteer firefighter, beginning his service with the San DeFuca fire department and then transferring to Oak Harbor. He retired from the Oak Harbor Fire Department as a captain with over 25 years of service.
Pete’s passion was for his family. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Pete was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor. He was also a Life Member of the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362 and the Sons of Norway, Whidbey Island Nordic Lodge. He was a former member of the Deception Pass Boat Club and the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. Pete served two, two-year terms as commissioner for the North Whidbey Parks and Recreation from 1988 to 1991.
Pete enjoyed the outdoors. He liked boating, fishing and traveling with his family. His humor and kindness touched all who knew him. He served his community with pride and honor.
Pete is survived by his wife, Margaret, at the family home and by three children and their spouses: William R. “Bill” Peterson and wife Michelle of Everett; Susan M. Byington and husband Kelly of Nampa, Idaho; and Kerry E. McCaslin and husband Steve of Leesburg, Va. Five grandchildren: Renee Peterson of Seattle, Jennifer Norton of Boise, Idaho and Cole, Kenna and Kyle McCaslin, all of Leesburg, and three great-grandchildren: Aaliyah, Nicole and Joshua Norton, all of Boise, Idaho.
Funeral services for Roy “Pete” Peterson were held Friday, March 9, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor David Lura officiating. Graveside services followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Friends of Home Health 101 N. Main Street, Coupeville, WA 98239. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
