Royce Gene Peterson

Owasso resident Royce Gene Peterson went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 in Owasso, Okla. at the age of 73 years. He was born Nov. 2, 1934 in Mount Vernon, Mo. to Marian Owens. He was reared and educated in Commerce Oklahoma and graduated from Commerce High School, class of 1952. After his call into the ministry, he began preaching at the Assembly of God in Quartz Hill, Calif. in 1960 then the Assembly of God in Lancaster, Calif. In 1967, Pastor Royce returned to Oklahoma where he was the pastor at Verdigris Assembly of God from 1967 to 1974. For 20 years he worked at Ernie Miller Pontiac in Tulsa while assisting Pastor Bob Rhoads at the Oologah Assembly of God as an Associate Pastor for 14 years. He was married on Sept. 20, 1980 at the Oologah Assembly of God to Maudeen “Deenie” Leonard. In 1993, he was called as interim Pastor and has remained as an Associate Pastor of Owasso First Assembly of God. Pastor Royce was a passionate preacher that loved Jesus and the Word of God. He was a loving, kind and compassionate pastor that took on a special group of people and taught the Word of God on Wednesday evenings in the Peterson Hall at Owasso First Assembly, where he served for the last 15 years. Pastor Royce and his wife Deenie were compassionate in their ministry to those in the hospital and shut-ins. Royce enjoyed a variety of pastimes including golfing, Marlin fishing, bird hunting and had talent for training Bird Dogs. Royce and Deenie loved traveling, especially to snow ski and cruises. He was also an avid OU Sooner fan. Royce enjoyed life to its fullest. He loved to study and read the Bible and preaching the Word of God.Loving family members include his wife of 27 years, Deenie of the home; children, Terri Stewart, of Tulsa, Tim Peterson and his wife, Kendy, Tammie and her husband Gary Horner, Frank Etter and his wife Denise, and Cindy and her husband Eric Munden, all of Claremore; grandchildren, B.J. Warren, Shawn Warren, Garrett Peterson, Jessica Tucker, Aaron Horner, Kandice Horner, Natasha Franks, Nick Etter, Neal Etter, Nathan Etter, Trey Munden, Autumn Munden, and Darla England; great-grandchildren, Dalton Tucker, Azne McCuistian, Skyler England, and Blade England; sisters, Sherrie Schnackenburg, Kathy Harlen, and Margie Cox.He was preceded in death by his parents.Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso, Okla. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 14, 2008 at Owasso First Assembly of God in Owasso, with Pastor Bruce McCarty, Charles Helscel, Jimmy Russell, Vernon Lewis and Sarah McCoy officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be Charles Herscel Jr., Lance Huneryager, Don Little, Nick Breese, Frank Reeder and David Derrick. Committal services and interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore, Oklahoma. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso, Oklahoma (918) 272-6244.