James Douglas Peterson: 1946 – 2024
Jim was born in Waubay, South Dakota to Clayton and Shirley (Chapman) Peterson. The only son of three children, he was a loyal, kind, and hard-working man.
Jim joined the military in 1963. When he returned home he met and later married Carole Jean Barse. Together they created a strong marriage and would be together for nearly 60 years.
Jim dedicated his life to his family. He was always a very hard worker and providing for his family was his number-one priority. Spending time with his family was his greatest pleasure. He was like a big kid and loved to surprise his family with adventures. He enjoyed fishing, camping, riding the rides, and creating fun for his girls. Jim was also a practical joker – no one was safe from a joke when he got up to mischief. But he wasn’t subtle – he could always be found out by his grin. His family, especially his girls, could tell you MANY stories of his escapades.
Whether in his job as a truck driver, home builder, or coal miner, he put his all into each job. Jim was generous and took pride in helping the underdog. If he saw someone was down on their luck, he would take them under his wing and do what he could to help.
Until his later years, Jim didn’t have idle hands. It seemed like he was always working on some building project, from remodeling to building from scratch. When he looked at a house, camper, or old van, he saw the potential to make it better. He was great at the building parts, but the painting was always left to Carole and his girls.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and sister, Patty Block.
Jim is survived by his three daughters: Tina Lawson, Nanci (Scott) Peyrot, and Maranda Kline; granddaughters: Venessa (Anthony) Warner, Elsie Lawson (Lucas Ames), and Daisy Kline; grandsons: James Koch (Mariah) and Anthony (Bailey) Koch; and great-grandchildren: Ariah, Bentlee, Cash and Judah Warner; Camden Osthiemer and Paislie Koch; sister, Wendy (Roger) Boschee; numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Jim, along with interment for both Jim and Carole, will be held on Friday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery. Refreshments will follow the service at the Sturgis Senior Center, 919 Harley Davidson Way, Sturgis, SD 57785.
