Harold “Sonny” Ray Peterson
Harold “Sonny” Ray Peterson passed away suddenly December 9, 2009, in Polson, MT. He was seventy-nine years old. Sonny’s life was as colorful and varied as the man himself. He lived large, loved his family, adored his rodeo horses, and enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and snowmobiling.
Born in Bingham, UT, March 8, 1930, Sonny was third of seven children born to Auer and Eileen (Bosh) Peterson. As a young man he did some farming in Marysvale, UT, and later worked in the uranium mines. He also owned and operated a service station in the area. In 1950, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Nichol. Eight years later, the family, which now included three children, moved to Long Beach, CA, where Sonny cooked for Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant. After attending school to become a certified welder, he worked at the Naval shipyard.
Finally, in 1965, Sonny found his true calling: operating heavy equipment. Simply put, there was no one better at maneuvering a giant machine in the tightest area to perform the smallest task. He was a master. That same year, he and his brother, Dick, started an excavation business in Cherry Valley, CA. Six years later, Sonny moved the family to Riverside, CA, where he and his son, Kent, formed S & K Equipment Co. in 1975. During this time, he also started an outfitting guide service on a ten-thousand-acre ranch in Pinedale, WY. In 1986, Sonny started his own company, Sonny’s Engineering, which he ran until 2002 when he moved to Polson, MT. Now semi-retired, he continued to work in the excavation business with his son’s company, Kentco, but he and Mary finally had time to travel in their motor home to visit family and friends scattered around the country.
No mention of Sonny’s life could be spoken unless the word “rodeo” was included. From a young age he loved horses and the cowboy way. He was a gold card member of the PRCA and an accomplished calf and team roper. Sonny did not shy away from the two most dangerous jobs at a rodeo: bull riding and clowning, where he often had to put himself in danger to save another rider. He also served as president of the Riverside Ranchero Club and promoter for many rodeo and roping events including the Old Timers’ Rodeo, Century Team Roping event, and the Shriners’ charity rodeo.
Sonny is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Mary Peterson, of Polson, MT; daughter, Vicky Siwy, of Fort Mohave, NV; son, Kent Peterson, of Bigfork, MT, brother, Ernest Peterson, of Bigfork, MT; brother, David Peterson, of Irvine, CA, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Auer Peterson and Eileen Hellman; daughter, Patricia; sisters, Betty Lamont and Auerlene Peterson; brothers, Robert “Bob” Peterson and Richard “Dick” Peterson.
Visitation will be at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 6th Avenue East, Polson, MT, on Friday, December 18, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 MT Highway 35, Bigfork, MT, with visitation during the hour proceeding the service. Internment immediately following at Bigfork Community Cemetery, Swan River Road, Bigfork, MT. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Sonny,
For the past 21 years, you have been such a big part of my life. You have been a dad to me. Our lives will not be the same without you. We will miss you each and everyday.
Love you so much.
Your favorite daughter inlaw.
Domenica
Mary was so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let me know if you need anything.
Peace and Love, Etta
sonny
you are the greatist mentor and idol of my life ! the man that when my own father was at his wits end with me you went out of your way to get me headed in the right direction. you are the man that has always taken a stand in the front for us all asking nothing in return you just wanted to help in any way you are the man that when TRUE GRIT is mentioned we all know it is you being spoken of not the guy who also looked up to you John wayne !
we all have set standards in our lives! that is that if we could only do half as good as you would do. it would be far better than what others can do. you are the man with hands of steel never afraid to put on the gloves of velvet you are the only man that would tell his friends to step aside so you could take the bull by the horns as fear and pain was not a factor in your life !
we will always look up to you ! damn we are all going to miss you.
solong bigboy we will see you agian in heaven
brad baxter and family
You were so truly loved and admired….youl truly be missed..
Hear Mary, Kent, and Family,
My heartfelt condolances on Sonny’s passing! He was a great guy! I always enjoyed being with him.
We will all miss him very much!
Amy Baldi
Hi everyone, My name is Gene Siwy. I am Sonny`s FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! son in law;married to my sweet Vickie RAE (Sonny’s first daughter).Vickie and I have been together for 15 years now (wow) , so Ihave had the HONER to know the only man I consider my father for this time.I wasn`t a perfect person when I met Vickie ,however the man that I WISH to be like never ever made me feel anything but welcome in his precious families life.Man I cannot believe that we all have to go through this time, Especially you mom I Love you and very proud of your courage and strength .I am having a hard time even writing this ,however ,one thing I am very very PROUD OF IS THAT my FRIEND [sonny] Taught me how to be a strong man. I know most of you do not know me just like I dont know most of you but that is the cool thing about SONNY he didnt care who you where if he liked you you knew it, IF he didnt you REALLY knew it. Sonny is my wifes HERO and allways will be;in fact I could tell my wife the sky was blue and when I wasnt looking shed call and ask anyway GOD I dont know she is going to do without him!!All i want to say is what everyone allready knows WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU SIR GOD BLESS SIR
hey grandfather ,it`s your grand daughter melonie i hope YOU know that i miss you sooooo much . i wish you were here with ME and that everyone loves you alot and misses you . grandfather even though i was not here for every event and holiday you still managed to wonder into my thoughts and crawl into my mind.grandfather i want you to know you were a great man and you always cheered me up when i was down and saggy.grandfather as this teer runs down my face i want you to know that i really, really love you and are at the top of my heart, thar means i love you the most!
with love and care from my heart,
your grand daughter melley
i miss graphsune i love u i missu.
i wish u can come back graph becos i wot to be just like u.jesus.
Vickies grandson
A very close friend of my father, married my fathers sister, I only wish that I would have had the opportuity to know my Uncle Sonny…
May his passing be in peace, and Mary, we love you and wish you comfort in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Kim and Caroline Nicol
Dear Aunt Mary, Vickie, Kent & Family,
I am so sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was a great Uncle, and I feel very blessed to say I was his Niece.
I wish I could be there for each of you this week, but please know that you are all in my heart and prayers!
Love you all very much, and please let me know if there is anything you need.
Love Cindy
Mary,
I am so sorry to hear about Sonny, when my grandma called and told me what happened I got the chills. I immediately thought of his smile and laugh. I remember going to visit you guys either at the yard or somewhere in the motor home. Sonny always had something to say especially to grandma -you know what I mean-!! We send our deepest condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you Brandi and Pat
Dearest Mary,
I am so saddened at the news of your loss; but, so glad and greatful that I met Sonny and have heard your wonderful stories. Did you know that my middle name is Elizabeth also? I am so happy to a part of your family and hope that we have more time to spend together.
Much love and warm hugs, Caroline Nicol
Mary, Kent, Vickie, we send our love, and want you to know we’ll all miss uncle Sonny. I’m sorry we can’t be with you at this time, but please know the whole family’s in our thoughts and prayers.
Rob, Michelle and I all have nothing but fond memories of the time we were able to spend with you and your family while you were living down South. Uncle Sonny was our favorite, “cowboy” uncle. Picking cherries, chasing chickens, and watching Sonny ride in the local rodeos are just a few of the things that made spending time with all of you special. Sonny always set a good example for us as kids, and young adults. Hard working, responsible, fun loving, and most importantanly a family man. Like us, he wasn’t perfect, but that never took away from the respect we had for him, nor the amount or sadness we feel at losing him.
Today’s hectic pace in makes it too easy to neglict relationships, especially those long distance ones, but please know you all have very special places in our hearts. We’ll always be inspired by the support you gave mom through the years. Its not always easy to be there for someone, but you never let us forget we had family to lean on.
We want to be here for you now, so if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. In the mean time, be strong, lean on your friends, cry when you need to, and know that you are loved.
We’ll keep you in our prayers, and promise to pick up the phone more often.
Tony & Denice
To My Father Sonny,
I miss you so. What am I going to do without you? Who am I going to call about cooking my turkey & stuffing? Who is going to sharpen my knives at dinner for me? Who am I going to call when I’m happy or sad or am just wanting to hear your voice?
I love you dad. I know you would want me to be strong. I promise to help take care of mom, my brother, my husband and all the family.
I will always remember everything you have taught me but I wish you didn’t have to go.
My life won’t ever be the same without you. Maybe when you have time, you can come see me. I’ll be waiting dad.
I’ll love you forever.
Vickie
Dear Mary, Kent and Vickie,
My family and myself are deeply saddened with Sonny’s passing. He and the entire Peterson family have meant so much to me in my life. During the most difficult times in my life, their love and support were tremendous. I truly believe that the character of this wonderful family comes from Sonny and the way he carried himself and cared for his family. He was larger than life and cannot be replaced. During this time I can find comfort in knowing he is with his daughter Patricia making her laugh as he always did. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and may you find comfort in each other as we know Sonny would have wished.
God bless Sonny,
Russ, Erin, Madi and Casi
Mary, My loving thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and fond memories of you and Sonny many years ago. Marysvale, and the old Nicol ranch were great ploces to live. All those who are gone are sorely missed, but live in our hearts, and someday we will see each other again. Love, Maurine
Sonny and Mary,
You made me feel Like family since day one. I thank you for that! Because of you and Vickie I have the greatest family ever. Your grandaughter Allison has made me the happiest father and husband. You have given me the opportunity to have the best extended family and group of friends.
Sonny, You taught me a lot and will sorely be missed.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
My condolences to Mary, Vickie, Kent and your families.
Love Dan
I was really shocked to here about Sonny. What a great person to be able to work with. He was a true craftsman with a backhoe. My thoughts are with Kent and his family as well as Earnest and Laura. May God bring you peace during these trying circumstance.
Sonny will be missed by all the people he touched. We will miss his kind spirit and his wonderful personality. Our hearts are with you at this sad time.
Robin and Bobby LaGue
Jay and Donna East
I know the beauty of a Loving Husband, the immeasurable treasure of a Father, the especially warm and comforting gift of a Grandfather. I know of the smiles, the laughter and the special memories of a brother and a friend. I also know how hard it is to say Goodbye. Sonny, you will be missed tremendously, just as you are Loved.
Mary, Kent, Domenica, Nicolette, Austin, Annie and all of Sonny’s family and friends, let his memory fill you with joy and bring a smile to your face, and let his peace now comfort you. FAMILY’S ARE FOREVER.
All Our Love,
Rose, Scott, Christina, Cole and John
For the entire family of Sonny I am deeply sorry for your loss. We can be thankful that he did not have to suffer long. I am glad that Allison and Toria are able to be with Mary, Vicky and Kent to be able to comfort each other.
Peace be with all of you. Love Arlene
Mary, Kent and the rest of the Peterson Family. Sonny became a “precious” friend to me and my family. I lost my parents in 1995 and Sonny taught me how to go on with my life. I adopted Sonny as my second father and I treated him and the family with the utmost respect.
My heart is broken and saddened by yours and our loss. I grieve with all of you and I learned at Loma Linda BMC, how to grieve. In my case I will write Sonny Peterson a goodbye letter and I will send you a copy + I need to read it to friends of mine that knew him through our introduction.
I will miss a “warrior” of a man and a “true gentleman”. Thank you Mary and Kent for sharing him with my family.
I’s sorry that I cannot attend at this time due to poor health. Plus, I very sorry that I did not make a stronger effort to come up everytime he invited.
Love
David R. Chavez
Mary, Kent, and Vicki,
I am so sad to hear about Sonny. Dawn my sister called me yesterday on my way to work and told me. I cried all the way to work. I loved Sonny as much as I do my dad. Your family was always good to me and I will forever hold each one of you in my heart. Sonny will be in my heart forever. He was my John Wayne. I have only good memories of Sonny. I love all of you.
All my love,
Dana
Aunt Mary, Vickie Kent and family,
Sonny will be missed but not forgotten. Every time I get on a tractor at work it brings back memories of the summers I spent with him in Riverside and working in the yard in Colton. Sonny taught me many things that helped me become the man I am today. I’m glad I had a chance to sit and visit with him last summer, He always had some good jokes and stories to make me smile. He was loved and will be missed - I will keep you all in my prayers,
Love Rob
Sonny, we will miss you. He was a true friend.
Mary,Vicky, Kent and family!
We are holding you all in Love from here.
Mary and all the Peterson’s
So sorry to hear of Sonny’s passing. I often think of the Peterson gatherings and what fun and love we all had together.
Mary, My deepest condolences are with you and your family. I know what a geat man Sonny was and how highly regarded he was here in Riverside, California. God bless you and all your family. I can still remember some of Sonny’s corny jokes and how you laughed at.
I know that David thought quite a bit about Sonny and he was deeply touched by the loss.
Mary, I have only known you and Sonny over the last couple of years as a weekly visitor, and Katie only had one opportunity to meet you both, but neither of us can or will ever forget the generosity and spirit that greeted us constantly. I can see how Sunny’s personality won you over oh so many years ago and it was evident the care you shared with one another. We are both saddened by the sudden loss you have experienced and share your grief. We wish you well and know Sonny will continue to live in our hearts as well as yours. God Bless.
we love sonny so very much. the world has lost an incredible man. he will never be forgotten. rest in peace! we love you.
Uncle Sonny you will truly be missed. You have always had a special place in our hearts and the world has lost a great man. Thank you for all you have done for me and I promise to make you pround. We love you very much, rest in peace.
Aunt Mary we love you and our thoughts and prayers are with you, if you need anything please let us know.
We love you
Michelle and Grant
Uncle Sonny,
You slways seemed to be the rock for your family and your extended family. Your strenght and warm heart encourged us all. You were the rock for so many. You will be missed!!! but your influence will live on in our hearts. May you find peace and know that we will find peace within your memory and all that you have taught us in this lifetime. To aunt Mary and Vicki and Kent, my praryers and thought are with you all. I know the emptimess and sadness of losing a father and know that through the love you carry for him and the love for eachother will help you throough these difficult times. Know that we as a family are here for you all!! God bless you!! With all my love Abbie
hello everyone. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, Mary.
I’m not to good at filling one of these out but I am. For the past years I worked and helped sonny and Kent when they needed it. I’m a irrgation Tech at EagleBend in Bigfork for some you know me but for some you don’t .
I’m sorry to hear about sonny, he is and was the type of person who stood strong to anything that would get in his way. He had a strong heart that would keep him going full of jokes and laughter EXCEPT when he was mad or if something was on his mind. I would have loved to got to know him alot more than what I did but we all can still talk to him wether if it’s for advice, questions, opinions, anything. He was like a dad to me since I lost my dad. Sonny taught me alot of things that I would have never thought of trying and or doing mostly about heavy equipment he was real crazy on loaders and backhoes but I will give him credit he did run them well.
I wish the best to everyone friends that knew him and the realation that lived with him .. Hold your head up and keep smilin Mary we are all beside you 100% and that will never change. If you need help with anything just call .
Dear, Grandpa Sonny
I will miss you through out my life i will remember you always greating me is ” there’s my pritty girl”.You always bring sunshine into my heart and laughter into my soul. I want you to know that you will be missed and that you will always be in my heart. I want you to know that you were a great man and you still are i know you will be watching over me every day and that you are in a better place now, i will miss you so much your Great Grand Daughter, Toria
Thinking of all of you on this day. Sonny you had a great and eventful life that graced you with a beautiful and loving family. My thougths and prayers go out to all of them at this time. love to all. Harryette
There’s not one day that something doesn’t remind me of you. I can’t even look at pictures of John Wayne, Wrigleys gum, cowboy boots, or gold teeth without bringing tears to my eyes. You are the second most important man in my life, right next to my daddy. Its just starting to hit me that you are gone. I know you’re in a better place.. It kills me inside to know that when i graduate highschool, i wont be able to hug you and for you to tell me that you were so proud of me. It kills me to know you wont be getting in any fights with the reff’s at my basketball games anymore. And to know when i get married you wont be there to celebrate the most happiest day of my life. Most of all im gonna miss your love. No flaw, nothing i would ever say, or anything i would ever do would stop you from loving me. You’re smile and laugh would send the butterflys in my stomach to flutter. You’re saracsm and critism made me stronger and stronger. And i know that you might not have been able to say goodbye to me, but I see you everynight in my dreams. You always seem to disappear in them. But i want you to know you will never disappear from my heart. R.I.P. Grandpaa<3
Will miss you Sonny! You were always a ray of light and made us all laugh. I wish I could have hugged you one more time.
Dean and I are deeply, deeply saddened by the loss of our very good friend Sonny. We loved him very much and will miss him terribly.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Mary, son Kent and daughter Vicki along with their extended families. We feel your pain and hold you dear and close to our hearts.
Eternal rest grant onto him o’ lord and let prepetual light shine upon him,
May he rest in Peace.
Dean and Brenda Woolhouse
Mary,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. I feel blessed that I got to meet both of you and I always think of Sonny when I call a pick up a truck. He was an amazing man. Take care of yourself.