Thomas Gary Peter

THOMAS GARY PETER, 69, of Sebastopol, CA, passed away on Saturday, February 10th, 2024. Born April 8th, 1954, in Sebastopol, CA, he was the son of the late Virgil Leslie Peter and Georgia Roberta Peter. He is survived by his three siblings, Linda Duckhorn (Dave Duckhorn), Gary Peter (Diane Peter), Larry Peter (Diane Starkey); his four children, Bruce Howard (Jennifer Howard), Sheila Johnson (Kerr Johnson), Teresa Peter (Amanda Peter) Virgil Peter (Ashley Peter); his grandchildren; Cassandra Ferrill (Maverick Ferrill), Alishua Johnson (Loren Johnson), Kerr Johnson Jr., Conner Howard, Kylie Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Avery Johnson, Kamryn Peter, Hailey Peter, Jasper Peter, Hunter Peter, one more due in April and one great grandson, Luke Ferrill. Lovingly known as Papa (a title bestowed by granddaughter Cassandra as a baby); he was extremely proud of his family.
Tom grew up working on the family farm where he learned the value of hard work and the enduring ability to make friends wherever he went. He spent the early part of his career developing a passion for woodworking and truck driving at both American Door Company and Liberty Valley Door. He found community in AA for many years and loved the support and friendship that came with sobriety. When his brother, Larry Peter, built a cheese factory in Two Rock (Spring Hill Jersey Cheese), Tom worked as a sales rep and delivered cheese all over California and Nevada. He continued to work for Larry at the Petaluma Creamery up until his retirement. One of the most memorable things about Papa is that he would always slip out of parties with an “Irish goodbye,” in other words, choosing to leave without making the rounds. It seemed only fitting that papa passed away in his sleep in a similar fashion to his typical farewell.
Memorial services are at 10:00a.m. Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary: 1700 Pleasant Hill Road in Sebastopol. A celebration of life will immediately follow at The Washoe House: 2840 Roblar Road in Petaluma. Visit pleasanthillsmemorialpark.com for more information.