Wayne Peterson

A Gathering for Wayne Peterson of Roswell, NM will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, January 23, 2015 at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home. Heaven got ‘em a cowboy when Wayne Peterson left this earth, as we know it, giving cancer the “bird” on Saturday, January 17, 2015 after a lengthy, valiant and hard fought struggle with his son at his side. Wayne was born August 16, 1937 in Marshall, MO to Joseph and Margaret Peterson, who preceded him in death. He was a very unique and honest man who still believed that a good ‘ol fashioned handshake meant a whole lot more than any multi-paged, lawyer conjured-up legal contract. His word was golden, his promises kept, his steps quick, his stature proud, his face weathered. He was always quick with a joke, and even quicker yet with his straight forward, no B.S. opinions about just damn near any topic that was at hand. He firmly believed that all some fellers needed was just a quick dose of good, ‘ol fashioned cowboy logic, and lived by his own cowboy way of life until his very last breath. A retired brand inspector for the N.M. Livestock Board, Wayne enjoyed, more than anything, the company of his good friends, and didn’t have a problem making friends with strangers and even a couple of “Yankees” as he called them. His friends meant everything to him. He enjoyed fishing, horse racing, driving around the western states in search of the hidden little fishing holes and most of all his award winning show birds. His daily route around the various eateries in town to visit a spell with his ‘ol buddies was precise, almost clockwork like routine. You could definitely set your watch by him and if you were fortunate enough to know him, you knew exactly where to find him by what time in the day it was. That was one of the hardest things on him toward his last days, not being able to get around to meet with his buddies. He loved his country, and would shake his head in dismay many, many times when “them Washington DC sumbishes” would come up with something new to shove down people’s throat. He especially missed his ‘ol fish’n buddy Dick Estegard, who preceded him in death. Wayne is survived by his sisters Joyce Frye of Bremerton, WA and Freda Orcutt of Boardman, OR; his son, Bobby “Pete” Peterson, of Roswell, NM and his daughter, Lori Clutter and husband Randy of Maud, OK. He leaves behind his grand-daughter Heather Niday and her husband Brian, her children Elora, David, Kira and Brianna of Roswell, NM, step-grandson Michael Cook, grand-daughter Kassandra Peterson, her son Ryan, grand-daughter Ashlee Richardson and her husband Justin, her children Lacee and Kayson, all of Gardendale, TX and many nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his brothers, Clifford Peterson, Arnold Peterson, and John Peterson. The family would also like to extend a very heartfelt and special thank you to his niece Beverly Barr and her husband, Ray of Albuquerque, NM; his “extra special” friends, Tammy Oldfield and Jackie Witt; his buddies, Bobby Witchley, Mike Lujan, Marty Torrez, “Doc” Blach, Ray Willis and the entire “Pancake Posse” at Martin’s Capital Café. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, Wayne asks that donations be made to the Roswell Assurance Home, which he felt was a very well-needed and highly justified organization within our community.

Wayne Peterson

August 16, 1937 - January 17, 2015