For over 40 years, Kathy dedicated herself to coaching youth sports. It started with T-ball, moved onto baseball, cheerleading, and softball. But her passion has been coaching and facilitating Youth Bowling. For over 30 years, she headed the youth program at Bowl America Orange Park. Not only did she run the Jacksonville Junior Bowling Tour, but she also ran several other tournaments and events, both locally and throughout the state. She talked about her bowlers as if they were her own children. She followed their lives and careers, and then coached their children in the same leagues they were in as kids. Her presence touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of young bowlers.
Kathy also retired after 37 years from Fleet Readiness Center Southeast at NAS Jacksonville.
Kathy is predeceased by two brothers Leslie, Dennis and stepson Daniel, and by Bill Kuchler, her 1st husband of 33 years, in 1999. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Rickie Petersen; her mother: June James and brother Robert; children: Bill Kuchler, Karen Kuchler Phillips, and Bobby Kuchler; their spouses (respectively) Tracy, Robert, and Heather; stepson Chris Petersen; 9 grandchildren: Kirstin, Lauren, Andy, Jordan, Emily, Abbie, Katie, Callie and Trace. Kathy had one great-grandchild: Aubrey. The family wishes to thank the friends and family that helped with Kathy's care, especially close family friend Nichole Wilhelm.
Kathy's memorial service and celebration of life will be on March 11th, at 6:00 PM. The family will greet friends, starting at 5:00 PM, at Hardage - Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home, 127 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL, 32073.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com for the PETERSEN family.
