Obituary of Charles A. Peterson

Charles A. Peterson Charles A. Peterson, longtime resident of Tenino and owner and president of the Tenino and Kalama Telephone Companies, died suddenly on Monday, December 5, 2011. He was 67 years old. Charlie was born, in Olympia on October 25, 1944, to Esther and Ewart Peterson. He spent his early childhood years in Rochester until the family settled in his parents’ hometown of Tenino when Charlie was nine. He graduated from Tenino High School in 1962 and received an Associates Degree from Centralia Community College in 1964. He then served in the U.S Army for two years, stationed at Fort Bliss. Charlie spent his life working in the telephone industry. His interest began at an early age spending time with his father who owned the Tenino Telephone Company. He became an employee of his father’s company as a teenager and began his full time career with the company after returning from the military in 1967. He succeeded his father as president in 1994. Charlie married Patricia Kelley, also a Tenino native in 1969. Soon thereafter, Charlie and Pat built their home and settled on farmland at the outskirts of Tenino where they raised their four children and established their Polled Hereford business, Acme Cattle Company. Charlie was a man who loved his life and made the most of it. He enjoyed his career in the telephone business and the many good friends it brought. Living on and working the farm brought Charlie immense reward and peace. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed family crabbing, shrimping and clamming trips. Most of all, he found great joy in his life together with Pat, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Charlie was quiet and unassuming and lived by the old fashioned values of honesty, integrity, respect of others and hard work. He cared deeply about people and he took great pleasure in helping others. He set high standards for himself and those around him. He was a great friend and a good citizen who gave his time, energy and resources generously. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son and friend. Charlie is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Stefanie and husband Loren Letts and their children, Charlie Ann and Megan; daughter, Dana and husband Jeff Thummel and their son, Evan; daughter, Nickee and husband Mark Watson and their children Gavin, Nolan and Kyla; and son, Dennis and wife Jennifer Peterson and their children, Westley and Caleb; his sister, Jeanne Peterson; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many, many dear friends. Charlie meant so much to so many and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held at Tenino High School at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 17, 2011 with lunch to follow. A graveside service will be held following lunch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Charles A. Peterson to the Salvation Army of Thurston County, PO Box 173, Olympia, WA, 98507, or the Salvation Army of Lewis County, PO Box 488, Centralia, WA, 98531. Please leave memories of Charlie or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.