Ted Alan Peterson

Ted graduated from high school in Gooding, ID in 1965 and moved to Kirkland, WA to attend Northwest Bible School, where he studied for 3.5 years before his number came up for the draft. He enlisted in the US Navy and received a medical discharge after 43 days, and he moved back to Gooding, ID where he began a meat cutters apprenticeship. He would continue cutting meat throughout his career. In 1971 he met Naomi Smith at church and they fell in love and married a few short months later. After living in Gooding for two years, they moved to Seattle with their first child, where they were blessed with 3 more children. It was ten years later before they found and adopted their 4th daughter even though their quiver was full. A few years later they began hosting international students in their home. Some students were only with Ted and Naomi for a few weeks, others stayed for 1 to 4 years or more.

Ted was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in July 2018, yet he still remained a functioning member of his family and the church. He was a lover of the Lord, his Bible and all the members of the body. He was devoted to his family, and he loved spending time with them and the students he called family. Ted thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren and they held a special place in his heart. He enjoyed reading, putting jigsaw puzzles together, playing games, going to the beach and visiting his family in Idaho. Ted had a sense of humor and loved telling jokes and doing silly things. He was dependable and a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren. Ted’s home was always open to the students from around the world that lived with Ted and Naomi for over 15 years. He loved them and treated them like his own children. Many of them came to know the Lord and continue to follow Him today.

Ted Peterson was preceded in death by his father Kenneth, his mother Alma, one brother Coe, a nephew Chad Peterson and a niece Connie McManus. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Naomi, four daughters and three son-in-laws, Trudi Peterson and Adriel Rivera of Lynnwood, WA, Lori and Erik Coryell of Mount Vernon, WA, Amy and Paul Parsons of Shoreline, WA, one son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Hannah Peterson of Powell, Tennessee, Terra Peterson of Lynnwood, WA, one unofficially adopted daughter and son-in-law, Winny Xian and Wei Lan of Kansas City, MO, 14 grandchildren, Makealah Miller, Tristan Parsons, Noah Miller, Ramah Miller, Lindsay Parsons, Logan Parsons, Leah Peterson, Jonathan Coryell, Tobias Atchison, Levi Peterson, Cerise Atchison, Amari Parsons, Aislynn Parsons, Vivianna Rivera-Peterson, his brother and sister-in-law Max and Diane Peterson of Gooding, ID, his cousin and his wife, Bob and Kathy Plant of Shoreline, WA, many more cousins, nieces and nephews, and the many international students that lived in his home over the years that were part of his extended family.

His memorial will be at the church in Shoreline on April 28th, 2024 at 3:00 PM. Visitation will be at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home Monday, April 29th, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12 PM. A graveside service will be held at 12 PM following the visitation.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Bibles for America.