Paul Thomas Peterson passed peacefully from this life on February 4, 2024. At his side was his wife and best friend, Roma Peterson, his children, and his loyal companion dog, Finn. His passing ended a 13-year fight with brain cancer, easily surpassing the 9-to-18-month prognosis that his doctors initially gave him. The following characteristics Dad displayed during his fight are a microcosm for how he lived his life: strength, determination, faithfulness, and a bucket load of stubbornness.

Dad was born to the late Arthur J. Peterson and Hazel Elizabeth Tolman on December 23, 1948, in Greybull, Wyoming. This timing was less than ideal as his mother had to stay in the hospital over Christmas, souring his older brother John's holiday. This began a long and mischievous relationship with his older brother, much to the chagrin of their mother. The two older brothers, along with younger brothers Jim and David, spent most of their time fighting amongst themselves, playing baseball, and camping with their parents in the Bighorn Mountains.

When Dad was twelve his family moved to Lander, Wyoming where he promptly met his lifelong companion, Roma Wakefield, during band class. They started "officially" dating in High School, and the rest is history. Dad was a good athlete and ended up being the starting varsity quarterback, although the team was terrible. The most important nugget to glean from his illustrious football days was that Mom supported Dad throughout the whole season by watching him thinking he was the center.

Following High School, Dad was appointed by the State Senator of Wyoming to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Those four years molded Dad from a small-town boy into a man. During this time, he forged lifelong friendships, the most significant being with a group of classmates who called themselves the "Wild Bunch". This group "got after it" during their four years at the Academy but Dad, or "Pete" as he was affectionately known, served as the group's moral compass. In their words, Dad "didn't party hard or drink alcohol with us, but took on the role of respected conscience representative by the way of his quiet, strong, and respecting leadership. This is how he was wired up at the factory, and no one ever questioned his foundational role for us." The Wild Bunch has maintained close ties since graduating in 1971, and their enduring friendship, generosity, and warmth have been one of Dad's greatest blessings in life.

Also, while at the Academy, Dad chose to be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Thanksgiving Day of 1967. This decision came after many heartfelt years of prayer and studying. Of course, having the love of his life being a member was certainly a factor, but Dad made the deliberate decision to wait until he was away from her and family to truly undertake studying the church. Joining the church was a seminal moment for Dad, and both he and Mom have remained faithful members ever since. Not many know this, but as he was being baptized his pants fell off.

Dad served for five years in the Air Force as Missile Launch Control Officer, resigning his commission as a Captain in 1976. Paul and Roma had brief stays in Orangeville, Utah, Lovell, Wyoming, and Delta, Utah before eventually settling down in Orem, Utah in 1984. While in Orem, Mom and Dad raised their five children in what all of us siblings would describe as the perfect household. Dad loved the outdoors, and as a family we would always find ourselves hiking in Zions National Park or camping in the High Uintas. These trips always involved Dad making us listen to the Home and Garden Show on KSL until the reception ran out, then jamming out to ABBA, Kenney Rogers, or Simon and Garfunkel. He also loved to exercise, and most mornings Dad would be up before everyone else running his normal route through the neighborhood and down into Provo Canyon. As he got a bit older his runs turned into bicycle rides, culminating in his first Century ride shortly before his diagnosis of cancer. He also loved music, was an outstanding tenor, and was first chair clarinet while in the band. He and Mom always participated in the local church choir. He was also a diehard sports fan, and his love of BYU sports was only surpassed by that of the Air Force Academy.

During these wonderful years Dad also instilled in his kids the value of teamwork, and both he and mom sacrificed greatly to ensure his kids were able to participate in the sports or activities which they wanted to. Dad would move hell or high water to make it to all our events, and it wasn't until us kids have grown that we've come to realize just how much he sacrificed to ensure he was present. Dad always made time for us, and he worked hard to teach us how to be productive members of society. He rarely yelled, and never lectured. He taught us through his hard work, faithfulness, and the way he lived his life every single day. He also taught us, despite Mom's best efforts, that sometimes it's okay to swear. We all had the "privilege" of helping dad semi-annually with winterizing and prepping the house swamp cooler. Those "lessons" were legendary, and still spoken of with awe and wonder to this day.

Besides Dad's battle with cancer, he also fought a life-long battle with foot in mouth disease. This condition seemed to worsen as he began accumulating sons and daughters-in-law. Instances like bragging about how cheap the flowers are at Costco on his wedding anniversary (in front of Mom), inciting impromptu wedding proposals, or other instances and gaffs too inappropriate for this document. Just know that his children and grandchildren will be recalling these treasures until we all link back up with Dad in the next life.

Ultimately, Dad lived the life that we all aspire to. Universally loved by all who know him, a hero to his sons, and adored by his daughters. His twenty-two grandchildren, most who did not know him prior to his diagnosis, held a truly special place in his heart. "Pete" has flown West, as The Wild Bunch would say. We honor his passing and aspire to live up to the example he provided for us.

Dad is preceded in death by his father Arthur Peterson, mother Hazel Tolman, older brother John, and his parents-in-law Wells Wakefield and Elizabeth Cox.

Left behind with a lifetime full of fond memories are his wife Roma, daughter Amy and her husband Aaron Randall, son Thomas and his wife Kristine Schow, son David and his wife Jodi Gale, daughter Emily and her husband Matthew Sanderson, and son Nathan and his wife Shelly Hayes, siblings Jim and David Peterson, and sisters-in-law Mary Lynne Riley, Marcella Peterson, and Gretchen Wergin. He is also survived by his twenty-three wonderful grandchildren: Riley, Matthias (in-law), Shae, Ethan, Noah, Abraham, Brooke, Dallin, Isaac, Cooper, Pyper, Miles, Molly, Tyson, Owen, Eleanor, Lydia, Heidi, Jane, Hailey, Hannah, Eli, and Willow, with the first great granddaughter scheduled to arrive in June 2024. And last but certainly not least, Dad's best bud Finn.

We will be celebrating dad's life on the 10th of February at noon. Address: 1130, East Brigham Road Chapel, St. George UT, 84790. There will be a zoom broadcast of his service that can be reached here: https://zoom.us/j/97986349664 . Military Honors by American Legion.

Interment at Tonaquint Cemetery at a future date.

Recording Cast: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/916894025