John Alden Peterson was born in Aberdeen, Washington, the son of Algot Vokie Peterson and Lillian Mae (Harris) Peterson.
He grew up in Spokane, Washington and Clarkston, Washington and graduated from Clarkston High School. He received a B.A. in Education and a B.S. in Mathematics from Whitworth College. Following graduation from college, John enrolled in the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, and served three years in the Navy during the Korean War, including tours in Hawaii, Okinawa and Guam. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Lieutenant JG. John then joined the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington, where he spent his career as an electronics engineer.
John met and married his wife, Agnes Mae (Stiles) Peterson in 1956. John had a strong Christian faith, and was ordained a life-long Elder of the Presbyterian Church. He served in that capacity for many years at the First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma, Washington. Following his retirement from Boeing in 1991, John and Agnes spent time in Port Ludlow, Washington and Sun City West, Arizona. Later, they relocated their “Northern” home from Port Ludlow to Redmond, Washington. During his retirement years John pursued his love of woodworking, creating many beautiful pieces of art on the lathe. In his later years, John often commented that in looking back over his lifetime, he could see the hand of God guiding his path and providing many blessings along the way.
John went to be with the Lord on August 5, 2014. He is survived by Agnes, his wife of 57 years; his son, John Scott Peterson and daughter-in-law, Cyndi Wong; his daughter, Susan L. Peterson, and son-in-law, S. Scott Hageman; and his grandson Alec Earl Hageman. John was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a caring and supportive friend to many. He will be dearly missed.
Donations in honor of John A. Peterson’s life may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.