Pete Peterson

Pete left our world for his Heavenly Home on May 17th, 2018 after a brave fight against liver and pancreatic cancer. Services for Pete are to be held on Monday, May 21st at 2:00 PM at the Byng High School Gymnasium , in Byng, Oklahoma.

James "Pete" Peterson was born November 20th, 1949 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Watie and Grace Peterson.  He was raised in the same community as his birthplace, and attended Sallisaw Schools. James was very active in his school, and was a proud Black Diamond football player. James graduated from Sallisaw High School in 1967, and went on to attend Northeastern State University in Talequah, Oklahoma.

He quickly sought to serve his community and began to take work as a law enforcement officer , with his first department being Marble City , Oklahoma.  James eventually found himself in Jasper, Alabama, where he worked as a Patrol Officer for the City of Jasper. He loved the community and made many life-long friends during his time there. Returning to Oklahoma , James , "Pete" as he came to be known among his law enforcement peers, went to work for Muskogee Police Department in Muskogee, Oklahoma as a Patrolman, before applying to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  In August of 1982, following his graduation from the 39th academy, he married his best friend, Gela Ann Sliger.

The couple made their first home in Sulphur , OK, before ultimately spending the rest of their lives together in Ada, Oklahoma. They raised two daughters, Kristen Peterson-Weygand, and Katlin Peterson.  The pair were involved in many activities together through the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, with some of their favorites being safety education programs for area youth, and participating in Cadet Lawman Academy in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.  Pete was a DARE Officer for several schools in the Pontotoc County area, he greatly loved being a positive influence in children's perception of law enforcement. True to his love of anything to do with cars and "going fast", Pete was an LEDT Instructor with Oklahoma Highway Patrol and often adjunct instructed with CLEET, in their LEDT program.  His heart was invested in the safety of other officers, and their confidence behind the wheel.  Pete served on the Retirement Board for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, as well as being the Vice President for the Oklahoma State Troopers Association for many years.

Upon his retirement from the Highway Patrol, he served his community again as Sheriff, in Pontotoc County for the 2004-2008 term.  Pete then worked for the Chickasaw Nation as Security Management .
In addition to his career in Law Enforcement, Pete was a veteran of the United States Army National Guard, having spent deployment in Desert Storm in 1990. Pete was a member of the American Legion and served as First Vice Commander of Post 72.

In his retirement, Pete loved to work alongside his friends, fixing up classic cars and making his own race car ready for the next run.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved watching the Thunder basketball games with Gela.

Pete is survived by his wife, Gela, and three daughters , Brandy Peterson of Jasper, AL, Kristen Weygand of Ada, OK , and Katlin Peterson , also of Ada, OK. Two grandchildren, Trent Blanton of Jasper, AL and Avery Weygand of Ada, OK.  His sister, Delores Green of Muldrow, OK, and brother, Larry Peterson, of Burneyville, OK.  In addition, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, whom were all very dear to his heart.