Darwin Alfred Peterson

Darwin Alfred Peterson, of Cooper Landing, passed away peacefully on Nov. 21 in Anchorage with his family by his side. He was 84. A funeral service will be held at the Kenai Lake Baptist Church in Cooper Landing at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 26, with a potluck reception to follow at the Cooper Landing Community Center.Darwin was born in Butte, Mont. on August 15, 1929, to Alfred and Emma Peterson. He was raised on the family cattle ranch in Montana's Big Hole valley with his three brothers. In 1951, Darwin joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a pilot flying C-119s in the Korean War. After the military, Darwin returned to the life of a cattle rancher in Montana. In 1962, he married Geneese Cook and the two of them started a mink ranch in Stevensville, Mont. where they lived for many years and raised their children. In 1987, the couple moved to Cooper Landing where they bought property near the Russian River and built the Kenai Cache tackle shop. Darwin and Geneese owned and operated the Kenai Cache for 16 years and after selling the business they built their retirement home on 5 acres of land overlooking Kenai Lake. Darwin was known for his unique sense of humor and his generosity. He had many friends and was cherished by his family. Darwin loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Darwin is survived by his beloved wife Geneese of almost 52 years; daughter Debora Jane and her husband Tommy Adcock, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; daughter Debra Jean and her husband Mike Tonkovich, Billings, Mont.; son Andrew Peterson and his wife Sara, Anchorage; son Darwin Peterson and his wife Kristen, Anchorage; brother Dr. John Peterson, Rushford, Minn.; and brother Harold Peterson, Wisdom, Mont. Darwin and Geneese have eight grandchildren and five-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Darwin asked that donations be given to the Cooper Landing Emergency Services P.O. Box 510, Cooper Landing, AK 99572 or the Central Peninsula Hospice P.O. Box 2584, Soldotna, AK 99669. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Alaska. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.alaskacremation.com