Carl Gordon Peterson's Obituary
Carl Gordon Peterson
“An Old Fashioned Gentleman”
August 6, 1922 – October 11, 2016
Carl, age 94, was the eldest of 4 sons born to Carl and Elva Peterson of Tacoma, WA. His father died suddenly when Carl was 20, leaving his mother, Elva and the 3 younger brothers, Walter, Douglas, and Delbert with minimal income. This began Carl’s life of duty to his family. Carl became the source of income for the family, working for the Northern Pacific Railway until his enlistment in the Navy, serving on the USS Neshoba in the Pacific. After the war ended, he returned to the Northern Pacific Railway where he met Beverly Davis at the Union Station, also employed by the railroad. In 1962, the family moved from Parkland to Gig Harbor living on Wollochet Bay and finally to the 40 acre farm in Arletta where they raised cattle and German Shorthaired Pointers. Carl eventually retired in the 80’s as a locomotive engineer after carrying munitions (the sad train) to Bangor during the controversial Vietnam Era and hauling Christmas trees (the happy train) from Shelton in the winter. He volunteered his time as a younger man with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and later with the Afifi Shrine and John Paul Jones Lodge # 271 of Gig Harbor. Thankfully his longevity allowed his family to discover his kindness, generosity, humbleness, lack of anger, and an amazing Swedish sense of humor. A few years ago, his body and mind began to fail him, a devastating emotional blow all aging folks face. His frequent falls left him a brain bleed requiring critical surgery robbing him of his mobility. His determination for survival and vow to take care of Beverly allowed him to recover to the point that he was able to return to the farm to be with her. In return, Beverly’s final gift to Carl was to care for him until her own passing April 15th of this year. Carl was predeceased by his 3 younger brothers, his son Carl who died in a tragic auto accident in 1972, and his wife Beverly. Survivors include daughter Jorja and son-in-law Tim Potter; 4 granddaughters, Amy, Becky, Katy, Kelsey; 5 great grandchildren, Ethan, Sarah, JorjaAnn, Max and Ben, and Carl’s precious stray dog Missy. Katy and her husband Joshua, Tim, Jorja and Kelsey banded together providing care for Carl at his farm 24/7 until his passing. When “Dad” would tell us that he felt he was a burden to all of us, we would all tell him he was our “magical gift”. Rest in peace, Mom and Dad. Your work on Earth is complete. A service will be held Saturday, October 29th, 2016 at 11:30am in the Garden Chapel of Mountain View Cemetery in Lakewood. Carl’s service takes place exactly 6 months to the date of Beverly’s service in the same Chapel.
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