Jan Dorny Peterson

Jan Dorny Peterson
May 9, 1939 – May 16, 2016

Jan was born on May 9, 1939 to Willis K. Peterson and Elizabeth Dorny Peterson in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died at home on May 16, 2016, at the age of 77, of complications of metastatic prostate cancer. He attended East High School and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Marketing and Advertising and served his country in the Utah National Guard in the '60s. He married Amanda Creer in 1964. They had two children, Andrea Terwillegar (Matthew) and Abbey Lee Cordery (Joseph), and two grandchildren, Zackary Robert Terwillegar and Lucy Amanda Terwillegar. He is survived by his family and two brothers, W. Gary Peterson (Merna) and Tim Dorny Peterson.

Jan was an avid outdoor sportsman whose skills were instilled in him at an early age by his father. An avid skier, golfer, pheasant hunter and fly fisherman, he worked his way through college as a butcher at Dan's Market in his Salt Lake City neighborhood and his father's shop in Wolf's Sporting Goods store in downtown Salt Lake City. He spent as much time as possible skiing and racing on the slopes of the Wasatch Mountains, golfing and fishing the rivers in Utah. Upon graduation from college, he tried his luck in San Francisco, and soon returned to Utah to begin an advertising career at Gillham Advertising. He and his family moved to Park City in 1971 to open a Wolf's ski shop at the base of Treasure Mountain Resort (now known as Park City Mountain Resort). In 1980, with partners, he opened JANS MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS and began his career as a premier retailer in the outdoor sporting goods industry, his life-long dream. His charming personality and extensive knowledge of skiing and fly fishing helped him to build relationships among the best suppliers in the country. He built a team of extraordinary employees who over the years have served the customers of JANS with grace and style. JANS began as a small ski shop and has grown to include mountain biking, road biking, fly fishing, guiding services and attire and now enjoys 14 store locations in the Park City, Utah and Beaver Creek, Colorado areas.

In addition to his entrepreneurial skills, he gave back to his community in many ways. He wanted all kids to have an opportunity to participate in sports and so he co-founded the JANS WINTER WELCOME, a fundraiser that gives money to young aspiring athletes and programs. He co-founded the Park City Handicapped Sports Association in 1987 (now known as the National Ability Center), an organization that helps kids with disabilities; was nominated to the Park City Ski Team Hall of Fame; and was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of Hospitality Award" in 2012. He was a member of the Ski Utah Board of Directors, the only lifetime member of the Bulkley River Lodge in British Columbia, a member of the Rotary Club of Park City, founding member of the Board of Directors of the Park City Ski Team, and instilled an ethic of participation and contribution to many other organizations and causes in and around Park City.

He was a loving father, husband and mentor. His employees and industry friends affectionately referred to him as "The Coach." He was a true inspiration to his community and everyone around him. His warmth and humor will be missed by many. He has always said that fly fishing was his religion and has asked that his ashes be spread along his five favorite rivers: the Madison River in Montana; the Bulkley River in BC; and the Green River, Provo River and Upper Weber River in Utah. A celebration of his life will be held at JANS, 1600 Park Ave. in Park City, on Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, 2016. Instead of flowers, donations to Youth Winter Sports Alliance would be welcomed. P.O. Box 681698, Park City UT 84068 or YSAParkCity.org.