John loved God, life, family and the great outdoors. He was born September 12, 1948 in Blackfoot, Idaho and passed away October 12, 2016 in Toston, Montana. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark (Bud) and Mother, Phyllis, and one brother, Gene.
He is survived by twin sons, Randall (Crystal) and Shawn (Suzi) Peterson and children, two sisters, Jynean Skank (David Deceased) and Marilyn Lane (Bill). He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
John graduated high school in Ennis, Montana. During that time, he was a good ranch hand, cowboy, helped with potato harvests and was an excellent long distant runner in track. He also trapped and hunted.
He joined the Marine Corps the following spring. He served four years and received an honorable discharge. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation with Gallantry Cross, Rifle Marksman Badge and Republic of Vietnam Civic Action Ribbon Bar.
After the service he headed back to Alaska and lived there for forty years. Seldona, Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove Seldovia, 47 Creek Mine, Fairbanks, Ketchikan and Icy Bay were some of the areas he lived; and be bought an island above Lake Louise. He worked in the maintenance field, sawyer, logging, trapping, equipment operator, commercial fishing and fish hatcheries. Some of the people he worked with and guided said, “You are an amazing man”, “Your impression, I will never forget!”, “Tough as nails but a heart as sweet as honey.” “Your passion for Alaska is amazing!”, “In life I have met few people that immediately I knew they are good, honest people at their core. You are one of those people, John. Thank you for always being there to help us-not because you felt you had to, but because you wanted to.”
This is the kind of man John was. He moved back to Montana three years ago because of three heart attacks and surgeries and needed to be closer to the VA hospital. He was scheduled to go to Salt Lake City for a pace maker-defibrillator next week. But it is too late now. I wish we could all vote and talk with the powers that be to help get our Vets get better health care.
Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave in Helena. Graveside services with military honors will follow the viewing at 2:00 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the church or charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thursday October 20, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday October 20, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thursday October 20, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday October 20, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Melissa L Cook says
John gave my family sourdough starter when we first arrived in Thorne Bay, Alaska back in the 1990s. He took my husband hunting and showed him how it was done in the rain forest. His name came up in a book I am writing about our 20 years in bush Alaska. He was quite the guy.