Obituary of J. Raymond Peterson

J. Raymond Peterson, 87, of 393 Hallock St. passed away peacefully at 11:40 p.m. Thursday (April 18, 2013) in the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility. A lifelong area resident he was born July 31, 1925 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late Eddie J.H. and Mabel C. Lynn Peterson. Ray was a graduate of Jamestown High School Class of 1943 and served in the U.S. Army from March 28, 1944 to December 23, 1944. For 64 years he was associated with and later owner of Lynn's Jewelry Store in downtown Jamestown. He began working at the store at the age of 13, with his Uncle Harold Lynn who purchased the store from a Swedish immigrant in 1924. He closed the store and retired from the retail business on October 31, 2002 but continued his passion of watch making on a part time basis for several years. In earlier years he was very active in civic and political circles serving as a city councilman from 1960 -1961 on the non-partisan council of Mayor Carl Sanford and from 1968-1969 with the Mayor Charles Magnuson administration. During his tenure on the council he served as chairman of the Public Safety Committee with police chief John Paladino and fire chief Charles Dorman. He was a member of the First Covenant Church where he sang in the church choir for over 70 years and sang in the Living Christmas Tree for the first 25 years of performances. He was also a member of the Mt. Moriah Lodge 145, Free and Accepted Masons, the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, the Norden Men's Club and was a former member of the Thule Lodge, Viking Lodge and the Jamestown Lions Club where he served as a past Secretary for several years. He was most proud of being the long time Treasurer of the Downtown Office. He will be remembered as a loving, caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the holidays with the grandchildren. He also loved attending his grandchildren's athletic events and musical concerts. Surviving are his wife of 62 years Gale Johnson Peterson whom he married June 10, 1950, two sons Mark T. (Jane) Peterson of Fredericksburg, VA, Jeffrey L. (Tammy) Peterson of Jamestown, a daughter Mary Beth (Chip) Johnson of Jamestown, seven grandchildren Raechel L. (Ryan) Waid of Jamestown, Thomas L. (Kari) Peterson of Dunnellon, FL, Krista L. Johnson of Erie, PA, Katie L. (Billy) Miley of Jamestown, Kelsey L. Johnson of Buffalo, NY, Alexander J. Peterson and Blake A. Peterson both of Jamestown, a great grandson Max Jacob Miley of Jamestown and his brother Dr. Richard M. Lynn of Erie, PA. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the First Covenant Church. The Rev. Adam Rohler, pastor and David B. Larson will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Covenant Church Living Christmas Tree Fund, 520 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701.