My wife firmly recommended that I write my obituary, so here goes.

I, Parley Allan Peterson, was born 17 January 1936 in South Gate, Los Angeles, California to Dr. Parley Alexander and Grace Trevithick Peterson. My parents were delighted with my arrival ten years after they had married, and two years later my sister Eleanor arrived. We grew up in the southwest area of Los Angeles, where our father established his dental practice.

Reviewing my life, I was a newspaper boy, grocery cork, fly fisherman, Eagle Scout, body surfer, played the E flat alto saxophone for five years, high school student body president, truck driver, missionary, United States Marine, husband and dad, Sunday School teacher, a boss, an ultimate people person and declared a man’s man and a gentleman by many, and I played Golf - the Greatest Game Ever Played - for 72 years, most often to a mid-single digit handicap in a “Soft Draw”. From 1949 on, Golf provided a personal challenge and a lifelong education. During that time, I had three aces, broke par, shot my last best score of 69 when I was 66 years old, and shot my age when I was 79. When I could no longer swing a club and remain standing, I retired from the game, at age 85.

My formal education included graduating from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles in 1954; attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and later graduated from the University of Southern California in 1960.

Emulating my Mormon pioneer ancestors, I am a sixth generation, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. My enduring love and testimony of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ have always been steadfast. I have found GREAT JOY in the church! and willingly served and enjoyed the callings that came throughout my life. I believed, taught, preached, testified, and have tried my best to live my religion all my life. From the Arlington Ward, I was called to serve a mission in Eastern Canada from 1956-58, which included playing on the Mormon Elders Basketball team for a season.

Upon returning to BYU for employment, I met, courted, and married for eternity, a beautiful, young woman named Joyce, Wilson Miller in the Manti Temple in 1962. We became the proud parents of two children, Michael and Pamela.

From 1963 until my retirement in 2010, I was employed in the Golf Industry. In the late 1960s, I was instrumental in building the community of Bloomington, near St. George, which was the start of the tremendous growth in Southwestern Utah, and where I created the original Bloomington Country Club that opened in 1970. Next came general manager of Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville, Tennessee; then the Monterey Peninsula Country Club at Pebble Beach, California; then Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah. My longest tenure was at Riverside Country Club in Provo as the General Manager and COO for 28 years. Indeed, I was one of those fortunate men whose avocation became my career, validating the saying “Life is a game. Golf is serious!” By the way, next time you’re on the tee, just “smoke one” right down the middle for me!

I served on the Board of Directors of the Utah Golf Association for 9 years which runs Amateur Golf in Utah. After serving as its president in 2005, I was later inducted into that association's honorary “Gold Club" in recognition of my service to the golf community in Utah for almost forty years. I was also accorded the honor of “Lighting the Y” at a BYU football game.

I sincerely acknowledge the several lifelong friends from childhood and from my years in golf. They know who they are.

With all my heart, I love my wife Joyce, and all my family! Joyce and I enjoyed a wonderful marriage for fifty-one earth years. I even taught her how to play golf, and we enjoyed many rounds together. When Joyce broke fifty for nine holes, there was a family celebration. Joyce retired from the “3rd Floor at BYU in 2003. After that, I tried, tenderly and patiently, to see to her needs for the next several years as her health declined. Joyce passed away in 2013. Through the years, we complimented each other perfectly; a natural couple.

In 2014, deciding it is not good for a man to be alone, I was privileged to marry a loving second companion, Claire Crowley Field, and thus began a fast-paced, colorful and controlled chaos final chapter of my life. We enjoyed doing many temple ordinances for my ancestors beyond the veil. I express a sincere Thank You to Claire for her love and support for the 12 years of our marriage. The last year on Hospice she has given me continual support and helped me endure as pain of neuropathy and osteoarthritis have taken over my body. Out of necessity, I have become a recluse. Sincere appreciation is expressed to Nurse Monique, Dr. Mower, and their entire Symbii team.

For now, I conclude this obituary with my love and warm, personal regards to ALL my family and many friends. I expect to see you all again in the next life.

Parley, age 90 years 7 months, passed away on 29 August 2026 at 7:30 PM in his home.

He is survived by his wife Claire, his son Mike (Jodi) Peterson of Emigrant, Montana, daughter Pam (Ron) Young of Provo, and his sister Eleanor Vincent Springville, Utah. His posterity includes six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He loves you all dearly.

Parley decided to be cremated and his ashes buried in the family plot and Heber City Cemetery. Per his request, no formal service.

Condolences to his family may be expressed on the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home and Crematory website.