Peter Arnold Golding

SIDNEY -- Peter Arnold Golding, 52, died unexpectedly on June 7, 2007, in Stockholm, Sweden.

He was born in Farmington on March 27, 1955, the son of Merle and Dorothy Golding. Peter graduated from Messalonskee High School in Oakland, class of 1973. He was a graduate of Gordon College in Massachusetts and earned his law degree from the Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vt.

Colonel Peter A. Golding's military career included more than 26 years of service between the Army Reserve and Maine Army National Guard. Since 1980, he held numerous positions, including trial and defense counsel and staff judge advocate.

Of particular note, was his tenure from 1994 to 2007 as the Maine National Guard Judge advocate general. Prior to his passing, Colonel Golding was appointed to lead the United States Property and Fiscal Office for the Maine National Guard. Colonel Golding was a graduate of both the Army War College and United States Air War College. While at the Army War College, he earned a master of strategic studies degree and received the John O. Marsh Writing Award.

His military decorations and awards include: three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, five Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, two Armed Forces Reserve Medals, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

Peter had a passion for running and enjoyed marathons, most recently becoming involved with 50 to 100 mile ultra-marathons. He loved hiking and mountain climbing and had hiked across Ireland, Scotland, England, and the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. He enjoyed traveling.

Surviving are his wife, Beth, whom he married on May 30, 1986; his mother, Dorothy and her husband, Dr. Stanford Merrill, of Oakland; his son, Jeremiah of Sidney; his sister, Deborah Howard and her husband, Richard, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; his nephew, Christopher Howard of Greenville, S.C.; and his niece, Jennifer Howard of Yidu, China.

Friends are invited to visit from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, at Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 18, at Oakland United Baptist Church, 47 Church St., Oakland.

Please omit flowers; memorial donations may be made to Kennebec Highlands Project, Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, P.O. Box 250, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918, or to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330.