John Peterson
John Peterson, a retired Denver educator and military officer, passed away July 14, 2019 in Denver. Funeral services took place July 17 at Congregation BMH-BJ with burial at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky and Cantors Zachary Kutner and Martin Goldstein officiated. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
A native of Tacoma, Wash., Mr. Peterson was born March 17, 1958. He married his wife Marie in Tacoma in 1981.
After earning a degree in political science and education from the University of Washington in Seattle, he served in the US Army in several locations, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. His combined service in the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard spanned 27 years.
Mr. Peterson moved to Denver in January, 1986 and resided here since that time. He taught in Denver Public Schools, including East High School, and other area districts for over 20 years, specializing in special education, history and economics. He retired from teaching in 2018.
A former board member of BMH-BJ, Mr. Peterson served as the long-time gabbai for that congregation’s Shaare Simcha minyan.
He was also active with Jewish War Veterans and served as a precinct committee member and in other voluntary posts for the Colorado Republican Party.
He is survived by his wife Marie of Denver; sons Jakob and Levi Peterson; daughter Ella Peterson, all of Lakewood; granddaughter Lyla Peterson; his mother Mary Peterson of Tacoma; brothers Bob Peterson of Spokane, Bill Peterson of Puyallup, Wash. and Lou Peterson of Bellingham, Wash.; and his sister Michelle Atkinson of Tacoma.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to BMH-BJ or the American Cancer Society.
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