James "Jim" Peterson

James L Peterson, age 79, passed away in his home in Arvada on March 3rd, 2024. Jim was born Feb 21, 1945, he was preceded in death by parents, Roy Andrew Dwight and Marion Gertrude (Nee Parkinson) Peterson.

In 1946, the family moved back to Colorado.  Jim attended Valverde Elementary School, Byers Jr. High, then Lincoln High School, finally graduating from West High School in 1963.

In 1965, Jim enlisted in the Army, stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, for basic training.  Jim spent three years in the army, two of which were in Germany, with the last year in Vietnam (1968).  He served in the paratroopers 81^st Artillery of the 5^th Airborne Division.  During his service, advancing to E5, he managed the motor pool and a department of 6 others.  While in Germany, found a love of sports cars and after purchasing a Triumph GT6, found himself driving all around the country.

After an Honorable Discharge in 1968, Jim returned to Colorado to pursue his A&P license at Colorado Aero Tech in Broomfield, Colorado.  In 1968, at age 23, he met Cindy Frost and they were married in 1970.  In 1971, Jim started at Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, continued through the mergers of the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific, retiring with 34 years of service in 2005.

Throughout his life, Jim's passion was 4 Wheeling in Colorado and Utah as a member of the Big Horn Jeep club.  Additional passions were hiking, camping and scuba diving, becoming a master diver and traveling throughout the world. 

In the retirement years, Jim was a assiduous volunteer.  He began volunteering with the city of Arvada (Reservoir and Warming House), then the Colorado Division of Wildlife becoming a youth Hunt Master.  He spent years with the local Neighborhood watch and Citizens Police Academy.  Jim spent the last ~15 years volunteering at The Forney Transportation Museum, never leaving the love of automobiles, airplanes and trains very far behind.

Throughout his life, Jim was known to many as Son, Brother, Uncle, James, Jimmy, Pete, Peterson, Dad, Pops and Grandpa!

Jim is survived by his wife Cindy, their two daughters, Tracie Bleile (nee Peterson) and Carrie Peterson; Tracie’s family with husband Brian Bleile, son’s Zebadiah Bleile and Justin Bleile; Carrie’s family with Jim Hess, daughters Kimberlee Peterson and Elise Miller and son Auston Peterson.  Sister Jean Jamieson (nee Peterson) with husband Elmer, their children Mike, wife Shelly, and their children Cooper Jamieson and Mackenzie Jamieson.  Kolleen O’Meara  (nee Jamieson), daughter of Elmer and Jean, preceded him death.  Nephew Drew Peterson and wife Michelle; their children Mary Grace Peterson and Ava Marie Peterson.  Sister-in-law Chris Taggart (nee Frost) and her husband the late Larry.  Chris’ family of (children) Cerina Cunningham (nee Taggart, and family), Sonya (preceded in death), John Taggart (and family) and Kate Pearson (nee Taggart, and family).

Cindy’s parents, Charles Frost and Lorraine Frost (nee Swain) preceded him in death.

Memorial service will start at 10am. Saturday, March 23, at Horan and McConaty, 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80227, with the reception starting around 12:30 pm and ending around 3:30pm.  The reception will be held at the Forney Museum of Transportation following the memorial service and a light lunch will be provided.  Directions to the Forney, address 4303 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216, can also be found here: https://forneymuseum.org/Contact.html.

In lieu of flowers, as Jim was extremely honored to participate in his trip with the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight in 2023, please donate in his honor to https://rockymountainhonorflight.org/