Harvey Peterson

Memorial services with Military Honors are set for August 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at First United Methodist Church, 909 Tenth Street, Wichita Falls TX for Harvey Leonard Peterson aka “Mr. Pete” who ‘slipped the surly bonds of Earth’ August 12, 2025 in his home in Wichita Falls, TX. He was born to Leonard Phillip Peterson and Ethel Marie Rumblad Peterson in Alameda, CA on August 26, 1939. He was the only boy. His sisters were Laverne Ethel Peterson Spencer and Phyllis Marie Peterson Eason. His health caused the family to relocate to Fresno, CA when he was seven. He graduated from Fresno High School in 1957.

Unable to enter College and to avoid the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on December 7, 1957. His U.S. Air Force career in Aircraft Maintenance was across five major AF commands as Crew Chief, Flight Engineer, and finally, Instructor of Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Two separate tours in Vietnam, found him in Special Ops flying combat missions in Psychological Warfare. He was awarded the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross during those tours. The experiences of Vietnam never left his psyche, and for the rest of his days, he couldn’t sleep without a radio playing at his bedside. His total Military service spanned 20 years and 14 days.

After retirement, he hung up his uniform, put on Civilian clothes and entered Civil Service. For twenty-eight years taught, supervised, mentored and wrote courses in the same career field as Active Duty. One class that stood out: Mr. Pete was chosen to teach the very first all-woman (plus one hairy leg boy) Aircraft Maintenance Technology class at Sheppard when the career field opened up to women. During his civilian service he completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Wayland in 1982.

Mr. Pete loved sports. In high school, wrestling and track teams. Later, he played softball, bowled, and bicycled in Hotter n Hell and the Alps of Munster. With the Slates he coached the Halfbreeds girls’ softball team from their age of 12 through them getting married and having children of their own.

Whether military or civilian, Mr. Pete was always envolved in the community. Tornado repair, Habitat for Humanity, anytime anywhere. With his Cardigan Welch Corgi, Claire Marie as members of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs he fulfilled a calling. From December of 2013 until his health began to fail in 2024, they made almost seven hundred visits to the Senior Care facilities in Wichita Falls bringing smiles to those who were lost in their infirmity. They with her breeder, Lisa Phillips, were awarded the 2023 Champion of the Heart Therapy by the CWC Club of America. At Wild Bird rescue in the Falls, he was Jack of All Trades and Master of most from mowing, cleaning, building, repairing, transporting, and mentoring. His joy was having his second love, Lindsay, a Barred Owl on his Leather glove at schools, churches, organizations and events across North Central Texas.

Mr. Pete was an accomplished cook, auto mechanic, furniture restorer, home remodeler, masoner, landscaper. He loved working in wood. And he mentored anyone he felt needed steering. He had a total devotion to his family. He loved family gatherings, holidays, and, especially, Taco Tuesdays with his granddaughters.

In addition to his parents, his sisters and their husbands, Mr. Pete’s, his uncles, aunts, cousins all left before him. Mr. Pete was the last of his family. And it heavily weighed on him.

Immediate family left to honor his memory his wife of 41 years Christina Arnold Peterson. His children Brian Peterson and wife Ginger, of Wichita Falls TX, Mike Peterson and wife Lisa of Cudahy, WI. Kathy Jorgensen of San Isidro, CA, John DiFilippo of Whidbey Island, WA; Angeli Fernandez of Wichita Falls, TX, and Robert DiFilippo and Abby of Montgomery, TX. Grandchildren are Lori Day and children Lorenzo and Angellina of the Metroplex, Shelby Ybanez of Corpus Christi, TX; Macie DiFilippo with Anibal Guevara of Wichita Falls, TX, Madelynn DiFilippo of Montgomery, TX, and Mallory Bell of Wichita Falls, TX; And, the mother of his sons, Mary Ann Peterson of Wichita Falls, TX His nieces, nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces include Suzanne Spencer McKinnis of Santa Rosa, CA, David Spencer and wife Rose Marie of Fresno, CA, Dan Eason and wife Diana of Carlsbad CA, and Diane Eason of Queen Creek, AZ. Grandnephews and grandnieces include Zoe Spencer Richerson, Ryan Eason and wife Katie, and Andrew Eason.

Memorials for Mr. Pete can be made to: Obedience Training Club of Wichita Falls, 974 Spring Lake Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76305, 940-851-0694; Wild Bird Rescue, Inc., 4611 Lake Shore Drive, Wichita Falls, TX 76310, 940-691-0828; or to an organization of your choosing.