Dr. James Hill Peterson

Dr. James H. Peterson passed peacefully on April 13th surrounded by family in his home. Jim lived with integrity, courage and consistent humor. Married to Sylvia for sixty-four years, they raised three children with love.

At fifteen, his professional music career began with the Ray Leach Orchestra on trombone and guitar. On banjo he performed on the Arthur Godfrey Show, The Perry Como Show, and the Pat Boone Show with “The Jada Quartet” and played professionally throughout his adult life.

In Vietnam, as Battalion Surgeon and Commander of his Surgical Platoon, he served with the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion, “The Flying Dragons”. Awards include: Outstanding Service to his Battalion, the National Defense Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Bronze Star. He practiced medicine in Greeley, Co. for over forty years. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Diplomat of the American Board of Otolaryngology, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Jim is preceded in death by his son David, his daughter Amanda, siblings Margaret Ann and Arthur. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, his children Anne-Marie, James Jr., Stephani (Spouse), his sister Phyllis Eaton, sister in-law Dedee Rigg, nephews and nieces Ben Eaton, Bob Eaton, Amy Royer, Rusty Rigg and grandchildren Isaac, Tressa, Issa, Stella, Ingrid and James III.

Sustained by his Christian faith, Jim was influential in all our lives. He had a wide-ranging intellect, with a keen interest in history. Sculpting, baking bread, birdwatching, reading or learning anything new were pastimes. Jim was loyal, sensitive, trustworthy, highly creative, did not suffer fools lightly but loved people, and the practice of medicine. He also loved America and was a true patriot. A raconteur, joke teller, teacher, good friend and a whole lot of fun, he will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 10, 2025, at Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley at 10:00 am. A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim’s name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/, Greeley Firefighters Fund https://greeleyfirefighters.com/our-foundation/, or Peak View Jazz Fund at the Weld Community Foundation, b2425 35th Avenue, Suite 201 Greeley, Co. 80631.