T.A. “Pete” Peterson
1927-2015
T.A. “Pete” Peterson passed from this life on February 14, 2015. Pete was the third son of David A. Peterson and Addie (Edwards) Peterson Staten and was born July 12, 1927. He spent his early childhood in the Coweta area and moved to the Oklahoma City area as a teenager.
He began working at Tinker Field at a very young age, and was drafted into the Army during World War II. He served in the Occupational Forces in Germany with the 3rd Constabulary Regiment. After his discharge he moved to Amber, Oklahoma where he opened a garage and it was there that he met his future wife. He began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1947 and remained there for 39+ years. He held many titles at SWB and finished his career in the Microwave Division.
On March 17, 1951 he married Ladell Shofner and they had a wonderful life together for 63 years. Pete was a devoted father to his son, Todd, but the real love of his life was his granddaughter, Kaycee Dea Peterson who was born when he was 72. He was happiest when she was around. Pete was a unique individual who would “tackle” any task and was usually very successful in his endeavors. He personally built the two homes that he and Ladell shared throughout their life together.
Pete was definitely a man who “did it my way.” He didn’t have much to say, but when he did say something everyone listened. After retirement Ladell and Pete established a winter home in Harlingen, Texas where they enjoyed Square and Round Dancing for over twenty years until his health would not let him participate anymore. They continued to be “Winter Texans” and lived there for 24 years during the winter months.
He was preceded in Death by his parents, his two older brothers, Albert Peterson of Barstow, California and Andrew Peterson of Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Ladell, son Todd and wife Michelle, granddaughter, Kaycee, a half-brother Dean Staten of California, brothers-in-law, S.L. (Dorris) Shofner, sisters-in-law, Billye Shofner of El Dorado, Arkansas and Jean Shofner of Oklahoma city, three nieces and ten nephews.
Our special thanks to Dr. Chris Martin for the loving care he has given over the years and a very special thanks to our “angel” at AMG Specialty Hospital, in Edmond, Mickey Darnell for her loving compassion during the final hours.
Visitation will be 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Tuesday February 17, at Matthews Funeral Home.
Services will be held 2:00 pm, Wednesday February 18, at Matthews Funeral Home chapel with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Lung Association, www.lung.org.
Please note: Graveside services were originally scheduled, due to the weather service location has changed to Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.
Pete was one of the best men I ever knew. I will always be grateful for the help he gave me with projects at my house and his kindness to Katie. He and Ladell have been so much more than wonderful neighbors. The world is a better place because Pete Peterson was in it. We will miss him so much.