Allen L. Pete Peterson Jr., age 72 of Newaygo, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. Pete was born on September 4, 1942 in Fremont to Allen L. and Keola J. (Brown) Peterson Sr. and graduated from Newaygo High School in 1960. Pete met and married Marcia Zimmerman on June 23, 2001 in Newaygo. Pete joined the United States Air Force on January 10, 1961 in Detroit and started his military career with a 3 day train ride to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for basic training. After basic training, Pete was assigned to the 601 AC&W Radar Site in Celle, Germany where his mission was to track aircraft in East Germany, Russia and Berlin until his reassignment in June 1965. In 1965, he was reassigned to the 4500 Tactical Air Command Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and spent time in Adana, Turkey until his return to Langley in August 1966. 1966 saw him assigned to the U-Tapoa Airfield at the Thailand Royal Thai Air Force Base to build the only B-52 base in South East Asia until his return to the United States. He was then assigned to the 4th Tactical Air Command at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina until September 1974. In September 1974, Pete again saw assignment to the 388th Fighter Wing at Korat Air Base Thailand, Royal Thai Air Force Base to provide air support to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. In September 1975 he returned to the Kincheloe Air Force Base at Kinross, Michigan with the 449th SAC Wing until the air base was closed and then was assigned to the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda with the 379th SAC Wing until his final discharge on June 1, 1981 as a Master Sergeant, Wing/Base Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Protection Branch. Throughout his 20 year career in the Air Force, Pete was awarded numerous medals, ribbons and unit awards. Pete joined the V.F.W. in May 1966 at the Fremont Laurels Post #6898 where he served as Post Commander from 1998-2001. In July 2001, he transferred to the Newaygo Sportsmans Post #4249 where he held many jobs and served at Captain of the Post Honor Guard for several years. He served on the National Aide-DeCamp in 2001-2002; was District 12 Commander 2002-2003 where he received All State District Commander Award; and served on the State Membership Committee 2003-2005 and had received many other District and State Awards. After his retirement from the Air Force, Pete returned to his familys hometown, of which his family has been a resident since 1830, where he was a member of the Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ and truly enjoyed being on the lakes or rivers fishing, hunting and woodworking. Pete is survived by his wife, Marcia of Newaygo; his children, Kelly Ann (Justin)York of Florida; Alan (Janet) Vanderleest of Rothbury; Conrad (Kristyn) Vanderleest of Newaygo; 8 grandchildren; his brother, Bruce (Nancy) Peterson of Newaygo. Pete was preceded in death by his mother, Keola Convertini; his father, Allen Peterson Sr. and his stepfather, Ernest Convertini. Military Graveside Services will be held at the Newaygo Cemetery under the auspices of the Newaygo V.F.W. Sportsmans Post #4249 on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Newaygo United Church of Christ or the Newaygo V.F.W. Honor Guard. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory online at www.crandellfh.com