Harold Martin Peterson was born July 23, 1924 the oldest of 4 to Harold Theodore Peterson and Zella Kathrine Roberts, on a farm in Allen, Nebraska. He passed away on July 9, 2019 in Spokane, WA. two weeks before his 95th birthday.
The Peterson’s packed up all their worldly possessions and moved to Washington State in 1934. They moved around a lot and settled for a time in Oroville, Washington where Martin graduated from High School in 1942. World War II was in full swing and Martin enlisted in the Army on July 21, 1944 and was sent to the Phillipines. He was honorably discharged on June 22, 1947. His parents were living in Valley, Washington at the time, so after his military service he went home. He started dating June Sumerlin from Colville, WA. They were eventually married on October 28, 1949 in Fairbanks, Alaska. They soon came back to Washington State and spent their first summer on a look out tower in the Colville National Forrest. After that summer they ended up in Seattle so Martin could attend the Burnley School of Art where he developed his artistic talents which led him to his main occupation as a technical illustrator. Most of his career was spent with Milmanco, Inc. in Renton, Washington, he retired in 1989 after 25 years.
Martin didn’t know the meaning of the word boredom and rarely sat idle. His hobbies ranged from painting, to CB radios, to model airplanes and cars, he was always interested in cars and even built one from scratch in the 1960’s. He liked working with his hands, he made quite a few unique treasures, most everyone in the family has one of his banana trees, made from left over parts he found around the house and wood that he could find.
Kirkland was Martin and June’s home for 60 years, they moved to a little house on NE 75th in 1957, moved to a bigger house in Bridle Trails in 1965 where they lived until moving to Spokane in 2017.
Martin is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, L. June Peterson, his sister Janice Reid of Chattaroy, Wa. 3 children, Stephen Peterson of West Seattle, Wa., Lorella (Mike) Nichols of Colville, WA. and Lyle (Elena) Peterson of Pacific, Wa. Eight grandchildren, Andy (Abby) Kruse, Lyle (Lisa) Peterson Jr., Nicholas (A.J.) Peterson, Justin (Amanda) Peterson, Hannah Peterson, Grace (Branden) Peterson, Michaela (David) McMillan and Adam Nichols. Martin and June have been blessed with 7 great-grandchildren all of which Martin knew before he passed. A family memorial service will be scheduled later this summer.
