Eldon "Butch" / "Pete" Peterson passed away peacefully at home in Denton, TX, on January 26, 2026. Butch was born on January 16, 1950, to Eldon and Ethel Peterson in Chicago, IL. He grew up in Melrose Park, IL and Bolingbrook, IL and graduated in May 1968 from Benet Academy High School in Lisle, IL. He played baseball in High School and enjoyed fishing. He was a forever Chicago Cubs fan.

He joined the Navy on January 15, 1969, and Boot Camp in San Diego, CA and then attended Navy Hospital Corp school to be a Navy Medic and onto Field Medicine school. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed in Oakland, CA, then went to Okinawa in August of 1970. He trained as a Medical Equipment Maintenance and Repair and was promoted to E6 Hospital Corpsman First Class. He transferred to Navy Hospital Memphis, TN in 1974. He left the Navy and moved to Aloha, Oregon in 1979 and joined the Navy Reserve. He worked at Tektronix as an Electronic Technician and Assembly Manager. In May of 1982 he re-joined the Navy and was stationed at Camp Machinato Okinawa and transferred to Okinawa Naval Hospital in June of 1986. He was promoted to Chief Hospital Corpsman HMC in August of 1987. In August 1990 he transferred to the Navy Hospital in Orlando, FL and was promoted in August 1992 to Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman HMCS. He retired from the Navy in July 1993.

He moved to Denver, CO and took a position as a Biomedical Equipment Maintenance Manager for ServiceMaster. His career with ServiceMaster had him move to Novato, CA in July 1996. In July 1997 he moved to Denton, TX. September 1999, he relocated to Woodbridge, NJ to be the Biomed Manager and relocated back to Denton, TX June 2005. In June of 2006 he took a position with Sodexo as a Start Up Manager through August 2017. He was an independent contractor until he retired in April 2018.

Pete was devoted to his family. He left behind his loving wife of 36 years, Eden (Lacaba), his children Joe Peterson, Stephanie Okumatsu, James "Eric" Delacruz, Jaymee Schopfer, grandchildren Kaleigh and Mason Schopfer, Kouta and Keina Okumatsu, his sisters Evelyn Bellini, Karen Kries, Christel Peterson and Gary DeBrock, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends, including Robert "Robbie" Fulton.

He reunited in heaven with his parents, Ethel Peterson and Eldon Peterson, Stepmother Hilde Peterson, Sister Elaine Moore and Nephew Peter Vilips.

As we reflect on Pete's life, we celebrate the joy and love he brought into our lives. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends and will be forever in our hearts of all who loved him.

Memorial donations may be made to Eden Peterson, 4937 Stuart Rd., #354, Denton, TX 76207.

He will be laid to rest at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery with Military Honors.