James Peterson

There will be a grave-side service in North Branch, Minnesota - Saturday, September 9, 2023 -  Trinity Cemetery, 5966 Cedar Street, 11:00 a.m.  A reception will follow afterwards in Lindstrom.

James Everett Peterson, 80 of Austin, TX passed peacefully at home with his family lovingly by his side on July 10, 2023. Jim was born on April 21, 1943 in Rush City, Minnesota, to Everett and Ruth (Erickson) Peterson.  Even though he was an only child, he considered his cousins as family, and he spoke often of long, enjoyable summers in North Branch.

After graduating from North Branch High school in 1961, Jim attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis where he earned a degree in Mechanical Design.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Reserve and was on active duty from 1964 through 1966 at Quonset Point, Rhode Island and was deployed part-time to aircraft carriers USS Lake Champlain and USS Essex. A highlight of his naval career was observing the retrieval of Gemini 11 astronauts after they splashed down in the ocean.

Jim was passionate about drag racing. The sport consumed much of his spare time, and he considered those times and friendships through racing and the car club as the best of his younger years.

Jim worked various contract drafting assignments from 1967 to 1969 around Minneapolis/St. Paul area. In June of 1969, Jim was hired by the 3M Company of St. Paul, MN kickstarting a 34-year career there. He worked the Microfilm Production Division designing microfilm reader printers.

Jim met the love of his life and best friend, Bonita Ferbuyt at a downhill ski club meeting and it was pretty much love at first sight. They were married September 22, 1978. They both enjoyed downhill skiing for many years and Jim was active in recreational ski racing.

Their daughter, Lyndsey Ann Peterson (Williams) was born to them in 1980. In 1989 the family moved to Austin, Texas in a division transfer of the 3M Visual Systems Division. While there, Jim designed many overhead projectors and was awarded three U.S. patents. He retired in December of 2003.

Jim was a man of strong Christian faith and was a long-time member of Church of the Hills and then City Reach Church.

Along with his passion for drag racing and skiing, Jim enjoyed playing tennis and golf. As an oddity, he also liked to cut grass. He would often cut some of the neighbors’ grass just to see it look nice. Several times he coordinated neighbors to rescue single moms with much needed yard care. He could be seen pushing his lawn mower and trash can down and up the steep road.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bonita Peterson, daughter, Lyndsey Williams, son-in-law, Richard Williams and his grandsons, Bret and Colt Williams.