Dr. Theodore Peterson Jr., PhD

Dr. Theodore M. Peterson Jr., PhD, 70, of California, and longtime resident of St. Charles, passed away Saturday, April 3, 2010, at California Care Center in California. Theodore was born August 11, 1939, the dear son of the late Dr. Theodore and Margaret Peterson, and the beloved father of Linda C. Pagel of California, Theodore M. Peterson III and fiancÈe Chris Decker of St. Louis, Ellen K. Haynes of Columbia, Elizabeth A. Rayburn and husband Mark, and Kathleen S. Peterson, all of St. Charles. He was the brother of Estelle and husband Dick Schultz of Bradenton, Fla., and was uncle to two nieces and one nephew. He was also the grandfather to Emma, John, David, Ted IV, Jessica, Brandon, Emily, Taylor, and Jonni Lyn. He was a graduate of Kirkwood High School. He earned his undergraduate and Masters degrees from University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was a member of the Marching Mizzou Band, and his Doctorate from St. Louis University. He also earned a Specialist Degree from SIU-Edwardsville. Dr. Peterson began his educational career in the Mexico, Mo. Public Schools. Dr. Peterson was an administrator in the Orchard Farm and St. Charles Public Schools. He also worked for Millers Mutual Insurance Company. He was St. Charles County Assessor from 1981-1984, and was elected Treasurer of St. Charles County from 1985-1992. He worked at FEMA headquarters in 1993, and also worked as a school counselor for St. Louis City schools. He was a member of Jaycees, Pachyderms, Shriners, Optimist Club, and the Procrastinators Club. He played trombone and had a love of music and tennis. Memorial services will be held for Dr. Peterson on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at 12:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of St. Charles. Inurnment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Charles. Officiating will be Rev. Debbie Bartley. Visitation will also be on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of St. Charles. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of St. Charles, 801 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301; or to the Parkinson's Foundation, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 South Oak, California, MO 65018; or to Hope Chest for Kids, an organization which helps provide musical instruments to foster children. Their address is Hope Chest for Kids, 4187 W. Harper Road, Clark, MO 65243, or on the web at www.hopechestforkids.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California.