On June 28th, 2021, Kenneth LeRoy Peterson unexpectedly passed peacefully from this life while at home in Cypress, California, two weeks shy of his 82nd birthday.
Ken was born July 14, 1939, in Norton, Kansas, to
(Irenus) LeRoy “Pete” Peterson and Helen Gwendolyn “Agnes” (Ward)
Peterson, the second of 11 children. A few months after his birth, the
family moved to California, returning to Kansas in 1949. Ken graduated
from Norton County High School in 1957 and then enlisted in the Navy. He
graduated from Boot Camp (San Diego), completed several aviation
schools before joining the fleet to serve with VAH-6 (Heavy Attack
Squadron-6) aboard the USS RANGER (CV-61) in the Western Pacific. On
June 30, 1962, Ken married his long-time middle and high school
sweetheart, Carolyn Kay Kintigh, at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
in Norton, Kansas. Over their 59 years of marriage, they were blessed
with 4 sons, 14 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
After completing his active Navy, Kenneth enrolled at Fort Hays
State University to pursue his engineering degree, later transferring to
Wichita State and graduating in January 1966. Before graduating, he
started his civilian aviation career at Cessna Aircraft, moving after
graduation to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and then moving to McDonnell
Douglas in Long Beach, California, in 1968. Ken completed over 20 years
with McDonnell Douglas, rising through the ranks, and retired as an
executive with Boeing Aircraft post-merger. During this time, Ken also
continued his Naval service, receiving a commission in the Navy Reserve
as an Air Intelligence officer in 1968 and eventually retired at the
rank of Captain (O6), USNR, after over 20 years of service.
Ken was very involved in his community, volunteering to support his
sons’ activities as they grew up and then with various community
organizations benefiting the less fortunate. Ken was very involved with
his local parish, St. Irenaeus, serving on several parish committees and
the funeral ministry, participating in the choir, and volunteering as a
Eucharistic minister. He was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of
Columbus and served as Grand Knight of Council 8599.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents, 4 of his brothers (Joseph,
Michael, Charles, Donald), one sister (Alice Goscha), and grandson
(Aaron).
Besides his loving wife Carolyn Kay Peterson, he leaves behind
son Kevin and daughter-in-law Jennifer (Bakke) Peterson; son Kent and
daughter-in-law Carolyn (Grohman) Peterson; son Mark and daughter-in-law
Dawn (Varner) Peterson; ex-daughter-in-law Leslie (Hansberger); son
Christopher and daughter-in-law Annette (Rebillard) Peterson, 13
grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
The family is extremely thankful for the outpouring of sympathy and
gifts we have received in our time of grief. In lieu of flowers, the
family kindly requests contributions be made to 8599 Knights of Columbus
Council or H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday) at St. Irenaeus
Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Saturday, July 24,
2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton. Inurnment with
military honors will follow at Norton Cemetery. A Wake service will be
held at 7:00 pm Friday, July 23, 2021 at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to 8599 Knights of Columbus Council or H.O.P.E (Helping Other People Everyday) at St. Irenaeus Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com