Thomas “Tom” Dale Peterson, 88, was born July 23, 1938, in Smithville, Arkansas, to John and Opal Peterson. Tom passed on August 14, 2026. He spent the remainder of his life in Michigan after moving there in 1957, and he leaves behind a legacy marked by steady generosity, quiet selflessness, and a warmth that made people feel at ease in his presence. Tom's southern charm and hospitality were always evident as you could always catch him saying, "Howdy", even to strangers that passed by.
Tom’s early years were shaped by a life lived close to the land in the hills of the Ozarks. Growing up, the family did without electricity, relied on what they could raise and make, and learned to stretch what they had—sometimes smoking a large pig to carry them through the winter. He often told stories from those days, including the times he picked cotton in Arkansas and traveling to Florida to pick citrus fruits. From that upbringing came an education of a different kind: the ability to work with his hands, to meet hard work head-on, and to do what needed to be done without fanfare. Those skills stayed with Tom for a lifetime.
In Michigan, Tom worked as a contractor and spent much of his career at Maple Leaf Farms as a maintenance technician. He was known for his work ethic and reliability, working until he was 80 and still taking on odd jobs until he was 83—because for Tom, being useful was a way of showing care.
In 1973, Tom met Dorothy (Dort), and together they began blending their families. They were married on August 2nd, 1974. In 1979 Tom and Dort gave birth to identical twin girls. Their marriage was remembered for the deep love and steady devotion they shared, each with a role that fit like a well-worn glove—Tom often the brawn of the tasks at hand, and Dorothy the brains. Together, they raised a family of nine daughters and one son, building a home filled with the kind of everyday support that becomes a lifelong foundation.
Tom’s hands were rarely still. He built his own homes and made most of his furniture by hand, and he took pride in the visible proof of effort and care in everything he created. Anyone passing by could see his green thumb at work; Tom could often be found in the garden growing everything from cucumbers to flowers. Though cucumbers weren’t his favorite—“those were for the kiddios" since they loved them—he grew them anyway, a small and telling example of how naturally he put others first. On Sunday mornings after church you would find him in the kitchen making his famous pancakes and saw mill gravy for his large family. He would always say, "It'll keep you'uns from starvin' ". This was a family tradition that kept the family together. As his children grew, one of his favorite things became helping them with repairs and renovations, leaving a small part of himself in each and every one of their homes. He was the kind of father who would drop everything when someone needed him, and he did it with a generous spirit and a steady, practical kindness.
As a grandparent, Tom was amazing—supportive, present, and dependable. All of the grandkids loved him and wanted to play with papa. The grandkids knew that if they needed anything, he would be there. Even into his later years, he would still find a way to get down on the floor and play, meeting them with the same openhearted attention that defined so much of his life. And throughout it all, Tom’s humor remained close at hand: he was witty, quick with a comeback, and able to lighten a moment without ever diminishing what mattered.
Tom's children and grandchildren would watch him build and craft anything from dollhouses, picture frames, furniture to remodeling homes and even building his own homes, the list goes on. He could build anything and when he ran into a challenge he always had a way to fix it and make it beautiful as he cheerfully hummed his famous tune. He always had a saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff". His positive attitude and this one saying reminded everyone to always focus on what makes you happy and do what you love.
Tom was an inspiration to all and led by example. By watching him build and create it was also building, teaching and guiding his children and grandchildren for who they are today. If something didn't work and his first idea didn't go as planned, he never gave up or complained and always found another clever way to fix it and make it work and make it beautiful. He had a way of making the impossible possible. Where others would have given up, he kept going until his goal, project and work was completed and he was satisfied with a job well done. His light heartedness made a stressful moment disaper. He danced when it seemed like there was no hope. He laughed and joked around with his funny sayings making even the unenjoyable enjoyable. He made all of those around him feel at peace and happy. He would often say, "You can't change it, so don't worry about it". His problem solving, perseverance, determination, strength and sense of humor through challenges taught his family to never give up, that there was always another way to fix it. If something didn't work out the first time, to never give up and keep trying until it worked. He taught all to face challenges head on with determination, strength and with a smile on your face and with a cheerful hum. Tom's legacy of the incredible man he was and his strong spirit will live on, for he has built a beautiful masterpiece in each of his loved ones.
Tom brought beauty to everything and to every heart he touched and he left this earth with the same strength, determination, courage and beauty until his final job here on earth was complete, to enter the glorious gates of heaven.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Peterson of 47 years, her parents Rev Lambert and Jennie VanHaitsma, his parents John and Opal Peterson, brothers Jay (Bernice) Peterson, Bill (Bert) Peterson, sisters Maycanzada (Sis) Smith, Mary (HD) Walker, son Harlan and daughter-in-law Jody Berens, son-in-law Tim Nichols and grandson Scott Voshel.
Tom is survived by his sister Katherine Parker, by his daughters: Gale Bailey, Robbie (Robert) Fowler, Kellie Nichols, Jennifer (Kris) Assaley, Jolene (Randy) VanMaldegen, Judy (Jerry) Nuismer, Vicky (Verl) Bleeker, Pat (Rich) Cullers, Sue (Tim) Schuiling, his grandchildren: Heather Voshel, Sara (Joshua) Patzer, Hidie Nichols, Autumn Nichols (Kyrel Hall), Kristin Dorothy Assaley, Willie (special grand pup), Anna VanMaldegen, Joey VanMaldegen, Dustin (Michelle) Schuiling, Jenassa (Trevor) Brown, Leah (Eric) Scholten, Chase (Cassie) Bleeker, Bobbi Jo (Juan) Guerra, Justin (Jamie) Schuiling, Jamee (Chrissy) Schuiling, Dalton (Anyaa) Troost, Tammy (Dave) Nykamp, Julie (Kurt) Butterworth, Michael (Toni) Cullers, and Kayla Nichols (engaged to Justin Grischke). He is also survived by many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is being planned by family for a future date.
