Peter Neeley Waldron

Peter Neeley Waldron was born April 13, 1957, to parents, Robert F. Waldron, a lawyer, and Joann G. Waldron, a homemaker and philanthropist. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, all forty-eight. Alaska and Hawaii had not yet been admitted to the Union.

He was born with mental and physical disabilities at a level which experts recommended institutionalization. According to these medical experts, “Peter would never be able to tie his own shoes.” It certainly was not the message our parents wanted to hear and a message that our parents would patently reject.

Peter worked through significant challenges as an infant and young boy, including seizures, high fevers, and ice baths in the middle of the night. Numerous drugs were administered, many with bad side effects.

Peter’s parents searched for solutions and therapies. In the mid-1950’s, “pattern” therapy would evolve as a way to re-train the brain to assist with improving motor skills and coordination. It was also intended to treat a large category of brain injuries through a re-learning of basic infant crawling.

Family, friends, and neighbors volunteered for years to assist. A minimum of five (5) adults were required to manipulate limbs and head. It was tiring on Peter, but he endured and never complained. His strength of spirit was incredible.

Peter attended both public schools and specially designated public programs. He was overly challenged by mainstream education and did not quite fit in with special education. He was in the middle ground. Peter would describe his peers in special needs classes as some variation of “slow.” He would never accept being described as mentally retarded, or the current more socially acceptable, a person with “mental or developmental disabilities.” He described himself as “…just a little bit slow…”

Our father accompanied all three of his sons Michael, Peter, and Kevin through many years of the YMCA program, “Indian Guides.” The key takeaway, the most powerful of all relationship slogans and commitments, “Pals Forever.”

Peter will forever be our Pal, forever!

Pete was a social butterfly. He made friends with everyone. After Indian Guides, with our parent’s encouragement, Peter got involved with Special Olympics. He made many new and lifelong friends. The program was waning, donations were down, and Orange County was not well represented. Peter’s Mom and other local Orange County families with similarly developmentally disabled children formed an Advisory Council, to help promote Special Olympics in Orange County. Peter and other young Special Olympic athletes were the beneficiaries of this tremendous program.

The camaraderie, training and competition are the ingredients to building winners among all participants. Peter has participated in basketball, track and field, skiing, bocce ball, volleyball, and golf. He excels at all sports. In 2001, after 25 years of participating in the Special Olympics, Peter was invited to compete at the World Games in downhill skiing in Alaska. He won a gold medal, marking a high point in his physical and mental achievements.

Peter became a Global Messenger for Special Olympics, tasked with representing the purpose and mission of Special Olympics as well as promoting financial support among the public and corporations. Peter’s speaking skills incorporated enthusiasm and great humor. He loved reminding us of his Gold Medal achievement! Who wouldn’t!!!

Peter attended Tustin High School and was awarded a varsity letter for track. He was a daily reader of the sports page and prolific writer. He sent many letters to college and professional coaches, advising them as to how to improve their game.

In his early 20’s, Peter started working for the State of California Fairview State Hospital in Costa Mesa. He had numerous jobs, advancing to a groundskeeper. He had many people who watched over him, protected him and loved him as a family member. Peter retired after forty (40) years of continuous employment. Although Peter successfully obtained his California driver’s license, he took the bus to and from work. This required Peter to wake up very early, walk to the bus stop and make a couple of transfers, every day, both ways, for forty years! How many people can attest to that type of perseverance and commitment? Peter retired in 2020 and has enjoyed retirement up to his passing.

He moved in with our mother and was diligent in caring for her, assisting caregivers with medicines and preparing meals. After our mother’s passing, Peter purchased his own home in Old Town Orange, living next door to his niece and her husband and one building away from his two (2) brothers, Michael’s, and Kevin’s office.

Peter was a die-hard UCLA Bruin. Even with a Bruin trouncing, Peter’s optimism would always see the great success next year. There were no losses, only opportunities to excel to victory next year. He was a sports savant. He knew all things football, baseball and basketball. He loved the Angels too. He couldn’t attend enough games!

Peter was a celebrity. He was well-known by all. From regular visits to local establishments in Orange, to walking his precious dog Hanna around the blocks of Old Town Orange at lease five to six times daily. He attended St. John’s Lutheran in Orange and loved that worship community.

Peter’s greatest joy was being with his family and friends. He was a frequent visitor to his Colorado and Kansas cousins. Because they were all KU alumni, so was he. Everyone received special and frequent calls from Peter. Nieces and nephews were on the regular list of check-ins! The world lost a living angel. He will be missed. He was our hero.

Peter was predeceased by his parents Robert and Joann Waldron; his grandparents John and Frances Waldron, and Ray and Ina Gingles; and his cousin Tim Waldron. Peter is survived by his brother Michael, sister-in-law Janice Waldron, niece Katie Brynn Etchegaray and her husband Sam; niece Wendy Ann Marie Waldron-Pritchard and her husband David; niece Jennifer Blakeslee; nephew Justin R. Law and his wife Aileen; by his brother Kevin R. Waldron and his spouse Todd Hoffman; grandniece Emma Etchegaray; grandnephew Owen Etchegaray; grandniece Claire Etchegaray; by his cousins Cathy Waldron Cordill; Dr. John Waldron and wife Barbara; Steve Swanson and his wife Terry; Lisa Yurglich and her husband Bob; numerous first cousins once-removed including Dr. Nicole Foutz, Paul Foutz, Sean Cordill and wife Dixie, David Waldron and wife Kyle, Amy Waldron, JP Swanson and wife Laura, Eric Frenzel, Curt Frenzel, Bob Yurglich Jr. and wife Jennifer, Joey Yurglich and wife Balin, Dana Yurglich, Emily Gordon, Jamie Waldron Stanford, Eddie Waldron; and numerous first cousins twice-removed including Jack Foutz, Connor Foutz, Parker Foutz, Derek Waldron, Ava Waldron, William Stanford, Trent Stanford, Amabel Cordill, Jayden Swanson, Giada Swanson, Camila Swanson, Josette Alice Yurglich, Robert Dean Yurglich, Ava Yurglich, Briella Rose Yurglich, Josie Yurglich, and Charley Gordon. Peter is also survived by his extended family, including Larry Hoffman, Zach and Amy Zaharek, and daughters Regan Zaharek and Ava Zaharek. Peter is also survived by his precious dog Hanna Waldron.