Gaylord "Pete" Lee Peterson

Long time Grand Island resident, educator and coach Gaylord (Pete) Lee Peterson passed away December 23rd at CHI St. Francis Hospital.



A gathering in Pete's honor for family and friends will take place on Monday, December 28th from 4 -6 p.m. at the Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 29th at the Presbyterian Church in Grand Island.



Pete was born in Bradish, Nebraska on April 15,1936, to Violet Nelson Peterson and Clarence Peterson.



His parents, brother Lamar, and sister-in-law, Bonnelle Russell preceded him in death.



Pete and Beverly Milliken were united in marriage July 22, 1956. They were blessed with four children; Gregg, Jeff, LuAnn and Amy Lynn.



Immediately following his graduation from Albion High School, Pete enrolled in and completed the Wayne State College Normal Training Program. With this certification he taught in rural schools in Boone and Dixon counties from the tender age of 16 until he turned 19. This early experience as an educator would prove to be the foundation of a career that would span nearly 6 decades. Pete graduated from Wayne State College with a Bachelors of Education in 1959. He then taught and coached at Laurel High School for 3 years prior to moving to Grand Island to accept a position in the Grand Island Public Schools at Walnut Junior High School in 1962 where he taught and coached for 34 years. Pete earned a Science Foundation Scholarship and admittance into the Masters program at Texas A&M University and graduating with a Masters of Education in 1966. He also spent 20 years teaching at Central Community College in Grand Island. Over his almost 60 years as a professional educator, Pete left quite a legacy by having a profound impact and positive influence on the lives of so many of the students he taught and the colleagues he worked with along the way. He was a born teacher and absolutely loved the profession he was destined to. Pete was a member in the NSEA, NEA, GI Retired Teachers Association, Platte Valley Retired Teachers Association, Grand Island Coaches Association and the Elks Lodge.



Pete loved to sing. He sang in the First Presbyterian Church choir for 50 years in addition to the City Singers and the Interfaith Inspirations singing groups. He seemingly always had a song ready to be sung, hummed or whistled. He was very active as a member of the First Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder and Deacon.



Pete loved coaching, participating, watching and being involved in athletics. He coached basketball at the High School and Junior High School level in Nebraska for approximately 30 years. He was a football, basketball and volleyball official in the Nebraska School Activities Association and was also a mainstay in assisting with Track and Field meets in the area. Pete was also actively involved for many years with Little League baseball in Grand Island. He enjoyed the time he spent on the golf course especially with his buddies in Senior Leagues at Jack Rabbit Run and Indianhead golf courses.



Pete made it totally obvious that his biggest love though was for his family. He adored his wife of 59 years, his children, grand children and great-grand children. He is survived by his wife Beverly; sons, Gregg and wife Kimn, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jeff and wife Cindy of Atlanta, Georgia; daughters, LuAnn and husband Gary Moss, of Lincoln and Amy Lynn and husband Don Miller of Omaha; 11 grand children and 8 great-grand children.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church or to a scholarship fund that will be set up in Pete's name to provide financial assistance to a high school student aspiring to become a professional educator