Jerry was born February 27, 1937 in Murray, Utah to his parents Merl Iola and Heber Emanuel Peterson. He was the oldest of four children.
He attended schools in Salt Lake City and graduated from Olympus High School, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and was voted Prince Charming by his classmates. Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Jeanine Croxford, in the Salt Lake Temple June 16, 1961 following a 7 year courtship.
Jerry attended the University of Utah for 2 years and affiliated with the Sigma Chi Fraternity before serving a 2 ½ year mission in the West Spanish American Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Utah and received a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from BYU. He was forever a Utah Man.
Jerry and Jeanine raised their family in Canoga Park, California, Provo, and Salt Lake City, Utah. He secured several patents for his work in the medical device field and retired from Becton Dickinson in Sandy, Utah.
Always with a book and highlighter in hand, Jerry was a lifelong learner and studied continuously. He loved a manicured yard and was handy at nearly everything. His analytical mind kept him very organized. He documented his life and the lives of family members, leaving many white binders of family history we will always treasure. Jerry had a dry sense of humor, was reserved, humble, patient and kind. He was a very sweet and gentle dad.
Jerry served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in many leadership positions, including Bishop of the Holladay 23rd Ward, mission office for the Utah Salt Lake City Mission, host at the Conference Center, and several years as a docent for the Church History Museum.
His life took an unexpected turn when Jeanine passed away suddenly in December 1994, leaving a huge void in our lives. He remained the center of our family for the next 29 years. The loss of his only son, Steve, in 2008 was another family hardship he faced with grace. His kids and grandkids were his pride and joy. He never missed an opportunity to support them in their activities. Jerry is a great example of forgiveness and hopeful optimism. He led his life with honor.
His daughters will be forever grateful for the extra time they got to spend with him and are very proud to call him their dad.
Survived by his four daughters, Shauna (Peter) Hoj, Debbie (Paul) Campbell, Angie (Jason) Mazuran, Karin (Tony) Dalton, daughter-in-law Holly Peterson, 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Siblings Rich (Fran) Peterson, Doug (Val) Peterson, and Laraine (Matt) Chipman.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife Jeanine and son Steve.
Jerry’s family gives sincere thanks to the staff at Spring Gardens in Holladay and Inspiration Hospice for their kindness and care in his final months.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Olympus Stake Center, 2675 East 4430 South Holladay, UT 84124. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Internment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. A zoom link is provided for the funeral service.
