James Edward Nathan Peterson
Jim was born on December 7, 1939, to Nathan and Pearl E. (Carmichael) Peterson. He grew up in the Ash Creek area near Cottonwood, where he attended grade school at Dowling and high school at Wall. An only child, his cousins were like siblings to him, and those relationships remained very dear to Jim all through his life.
Jim joined the Navy in September of 1961, and was stationed at Pearl Harbor until 1963. At that time, while on tour in Japan, he received word of his father’s death and was honorably discharged. He returned home, where he took over the responsibilities of running the ranch. At one of the yearly picnics of the Meade County Larger Parish, of which the Dowling church was a part, Jim met a lovely young lady named Linda. Captivated, he made a deal with God: In return for just one date with Linda, Jim would give up smoking cigarettes. In due time, both ends of the bargain were upheld, and a relationship grew. Through Linda’s loving encouragement, Jim came to know and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior…and never looked back.
Jim and Linda were joined in marriage on September 30, 1967. As Linda’s family was rather large, he was always grateful to have gained so many adopted siblings. God also answered Jim’s prayers for a large family of his own, and to their union were born 5 children. In 1974, Jim became one of the founding members of Prairie Bible Church of God at Enning, SD. In 1977, the church began a Christian school. Jim and Linda believed so strongly in a Christian education, they left the family ranch at Ash Creek in order to be closer to the new school. In 1982, they were able to acquire and move onto the ranch where he lived and worked the rest of his life.
Jim was a hard worker all his life, holding many jobs over the years. He did road construction in the Badlands and helped to construct overpasses that would eventually become part of Interstate-90. He ran a maintainer for Meade County, and worked for Cammack Ranch Supply doing deliveries. In the course of 30 years, he worked with the same house mover to move in 3 different houses to wherever they were living at the time. All the while, he ran his ranch, including a dairy operation until 1996. His most important “job,” however, involved his commitment to God and to his family.
In all things, the word that describes Jim Peterson is faithful. He was faithful to his Lord, to his wife, to his children, to his church, and to his community. As one man put it, “he was a friend to me when I really needed a friend.” Jim and Linda opened their home to at least 4 teenagers over the years, providing a “home away from home” while school was in session. Jim had an amazing dedication to pursuing God’s purpose in his life, committing Scripture to memory, and partnering with his wife to raise up his children in the way of the Lord. Later on, that commitment transferred to his grandchildren, in all of whom he took great delight. Jim had an unmatched love for a car and an open road. He simply loved to drive, and in his retirement years it became a sort of therapy for him.
Jim’s health took a turn for the worse during the heat of the summer months and began a steep decline. After a week in the hospital, he spent his final days at home surrounded by his favorite things – his children and grandchildren, the reading of Scripture, instruments being played, songs being sung, and having his head and feet rubbed.
On Sunday, July 25, 2021, Jim went Home to be with the Lord and with his sweetheart. He is now more alive than he has ever been.
Jim is survived by his son, Wade (Carrie) Peterson and their children, Nathaniel, Philip, Pearl, Paul, Joanna, Esther, Ed, Samuel, Susanna, and Stephen; daughter, Verna (James) Lilley and their children, Jedidiah, James Jr., John, Bonita, and Isaiah; daughter, Cherri (Dale) Knoll and their children, J. Jack, Ida, and J. James “Jimmy”; daughter, Elida (Jason) Stillwell and their children, Victoria, Abigail, Katarena, and Joshua Jason; and son, Wyatt (Nicole) Peterson and their daughter Clara; several brothers- and sisters-in law; several cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Linda, who went Home to be with the Lord in 2019.
Visitation was held 7-9 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021, at Union Center Community Baptist Church.
Funeral Services were 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Central Meade County Community Center in Union Center, SD.
Memorial has been established to Gideons International and the Prairie Bible Church of God.
