James Edward Peterson (Jim), 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Bridgeton, Missouri, on Monday, January 27.

Jim was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 22, 1942 to Roland and Helen (Olson) Peterson. Growing up, Jim was an intelligent and mischievous boy who liked to run a little wild with the neighborhood kids, shooting slingshots, riding bikes and playing basketball.  He questioned everything, including authority, and was very curious about the world around him. He was a loyal and supportive friend and sibling.

Jim attended South High School in Minneapolis but did not graduate. He entered military service in 1965 and completed his GED as well as Engineering School while in service. He was honorably discharged in 1967 and served in the US Army Reserves from 1967 to 1971.

He married Arlyce Lundquist on February 11, 1968 in Las Vegas. They lived in Santa Barbara, California for a brief time, then moved to Willmar, Minnesota. They had three children. Jim's career path in Willmar followed his curiosities. He owned a photography studio and art gallery for a time, then became a computer and IT network specialist, working for ComputerLand and Radio Shack. After Jim and Arlyce divorced in 1996, Jim lived in several suburbs near Minneapolis until he moved to Bridgeton, Missouri in 2017. He lived there with his sister until his death.

Jim was an eternal tinkerer, adapter, and inventor. He had plenty of big ideas, but did not always have the patience to see them through to fruition. He was not a fan of small talk, instead preferring to discuss politics, science, current events, and why the Federal Reserve was bad. He played guitar and sang sad folk songs, wrote occasional poetry, had a dry wit, and had a tortured relationship with his favorite professional sports team, the Minnesota Vikings.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Helen Peterson; brother Craig Peterson; brother Roger Peterson; brother-in-law Donald Peterson; and sister-in-law Linda Peterson. He is survived by his sister Mary Gail Peterson of Bridgeton, MO; sister-in-law Marion Peterson; his daughter Tammy (Brian) Stade of Litchfield, MN; daughter Melissa Peterson (Kyle Haugen) of Granite Falls, MN; son Lane Peterson of Litchfield, MN; his grandchildren Kennedy (Gracie) Eliason of Saint Cloud, MN; Michaela Stade of Hutchinson, MN, and Grace Haugen of Wasilla, AK; as well as nieces and nephews and their children.