Raymond (Ray) Arthur Peterson

Ray was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1936 to Arthur Victor Peterson and Thelma Bendena (Christiansen) Peterson. He attended grade school and high school in South Omaha. Ray was drafted into the US Army in 1959 where he served with the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning) in Hawaii until 1962 rising to the rank of Corporal. Upon being honorably discharged, Ray returned to Omaha and began working for General Electric. In 1962 Ray accepted a transfer with GE to Kansas City, Kansas to work in the Product Service department. This move would prove fortuitous as Ray would meet the love of his life, Carolyn Ann Frost, on his first day. Ray would continue his career at GE until retirement in 1996. It is safe to say that a large part of Ray’s life proves the 1986 GE tag line, ‘GE, we bring good things to life.”

A first date at the annual GE Picnic started a romance that led to marriage in 1963. Together, Ray and Carolyn would raise 2 children, a son and a daughter. A relationship forged in hard work, laughter, some serious vegetable gardening, fishing, boating, road trips and camping that would endure until his passing.

Ray was an active and passionate participant in his children’s sporting interests. He served as a coach for both his son’s and daughter’s softball teams and even endured his son’s brief interest in soccer. He spent hours in the backyard hitting fly balls and playing catch. Ray was a vocal fixture at his daughter’s basketball games where he earned the occasional reprimand from the referee. As mentioned earlier, Ray was passionate about sports! He was even a cheer Dad before that was really a thing.

Later in life, much time was spent cheering on his 3 grandkids. He was a regular spectator of tee ball, softball, baseball, football, basketball, soccer, track and field and various Special Olympics events. He was a busy and involved grandfather and rarely missed their activities. Throughout all the coaching and spectating, Ray made time to be active in his church serving as a Deacon and Church Trustee.

Among Ray’s many interests, bowling stands out the most. Ray was an avid league bowler well into his 80’s and consistently posted high averages. Between practice and league competition, this pursuit would find Ray at the alley 2 to 3 times a week. Carolyn asserted that vacations were often scheduled around and curtailed by a chance to hit the lanes.

Ray can be described as kind, gentle, quiet, steadfast, hard-working, reliable, quick-witted and humorous. In social settings, Ray was typically reserved but when he contributed, his input was well thought out, meaningful and often funny. These are the attributes that Raymond Arthur Peterson masterfully balanced with the passion and love that he shared with those in his life.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Thelma and sisters Cathryn Victoria (Peterson) Moore and Rose Marie (Peterson) Barrett. Ray is survived by his brother Richard Victor Peterson (Eva), wife Carolyn, children Scott Peterson (Christina), Tracy (Peterson) Brown (Fabian), grandchildren Allyson (Rhodes) Jones (Adam), Nicholas Rhodes (Nicole), Karley Rhodes and three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Alliance at www.TSCAlliance.org.