Charles Otto Peterson passed away peacefully in his home on January 20, 2020. Charles was born in Buffalo, Missouri, on January 3, 1934, to Margaret McCaslin Peterson, his father, Otto Peterson, having passed away three months earlier.
Charles (Chuck, Junior) was a farm boy who was introduced to basketball in high school and moved into town, lived with the local deputy sheriff, and worked at the high school, so that he could play.
Following his graduation in 1951, he left Missouri to join his brother in California. There he attended Ventura Junior College, played basketball for the Pirates, and most importantly, met his wife of 66 years, Genevieve Mason.
The two were married on August 16, 1953, and moved back to Springfield, Missouri, where Charles attended Southwest Missouri State (SMS), and was a star center for the Bears. Their oldest child, and only son, Douglas was born in Springfield.
Charles and family then moved to Corning, CA where he taught math, science, and P.E. and coached basketball. Their second child, Jody, was born in Corning.
Then it was back to Missouri to complete his degree at SMS, before returning to Southern California, where Charles taught and coached at Moorpark High School. Their third child, Jamie, was born in Oxnard, CA.
The family’s final move was to Clovis, CA, where Charles worked for the Clovis Unified School District for 31 years, first as a teacher and coach, then as the Director of Adult and Vocational Education for 29 years, building one of the strongest adult education programs in the state. Their youngest child, Pamela, was born in Fresno, CA.
Charles was an active member of ACSA (Association of California School Administrators) throughout his career.
But his greatest achievement was being a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle.
He is survived by his wife Genevieve Elaine (Mason) Peterson — Fresno, CA
Sister Shirley Dame (husband Gerald) of Phillipsburg, Missouri
Son Douglas Peterson (wife Anoush) — Littleton, CO
Daughter Jody Solinski — Redding, CA
Daughter Jamie Peterson — Clovis, CA
Daughter Pamela Lee (husband Mike) — San Luis Obispo, CA
Five Granddaughters: Melissa Peterson, Sarah Vanderneck (husband Ryan), Genevieve Healey (husband Douglass), Katrina True (husband Jeremy), and Hannah Lee.
Seven Great-Grandchildren: Levi, Elijah, Isaiah, Eliana, Aliyah, Annalise, Josephine
Graveside services will be at the Clovis Community Cemetery on Thursday, January 30th at 1 pm.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bethesda Lutheran Communities, 600 Hoffmann Dr., Watertown, WI 53094. Please put “In memory of Charles Peterson.”
You may leave your personal memory of Charles at www.BoiceFuneralHome.com. These memories will be put in a permanent book for the family.
