James "Gary" Petersen

He moved to Las Vegas in 1955 after graduating from Utah State with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He started his career of teaching at Sunrise Acres Elementary then moved on to Rancho High School's Distributive Education, while continuing his education and receiving his masters from Colorado State. He then pursued his passions in adult education by running nursing programs at Sunrise Hospital and University Medical Center. Gary then went into administration and retired in the early 80's from Vo Tech to pursue his other love as a "gentleman farmer."

Gary is survived by his love of 57 years, Deanne Cavalier; his daughters, Suzanne Kidd and Lisa Cofer; his sons-in-law, Scott Kidd and J. Mike Cofer; his four grandkids, Haley Kidd, Corey Kidd, Jackson Cofer and Spencer Cofer; and great-granddaughter, Sawyer Rose Kidd.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.keepmemoryalive.org or www.michaeljfox.org.