John Frederick Peterson

John Frederick Peterson, 90, of Kearney, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Valley Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

He was born on March 19, 1935, in Holt, Missouri, the son of the late Frederick William Peterson and Ella Maxine (Fugitt) Peterson.

John met the love of his life, Donna Sue Ferrell, while attending high school in Kearney, where they were members of the Class of 1953. The couple married on September 10, 1954, and were blessed to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in Branson, Missouri. They built their home in February of 1962 and raised their three daughters there on the family farm.

Throughout his life, John balanced many roles. He sold insurance and real estate but remained, at heart, a farmer, working the land full-time until his retirement. Known to many as "Big John," he loved his family deeply and was a man of strong faith who enjoyed sharing the gospel with others.

John lived life with enthusiasm and many interests. He enjoyed flying after earning his pilot's license and often said that being in the air brought him peace. In his younger years he was an accomplished athlete, and during his senior year at Kearney High School he set a record by scoring 54 points in a single basketball game - a record that still stands. He later attended ministry school and was baptized in Jerusalem.

His hobbies and passions were many and reflected his active spirit. John enjoyed flying, reading the Bible, basketball, golfing, gardening-especially growing sweet corn-hunting, fishing, traveling out West, and raising livestock. He also enjoyed visiting with friends he met regularly at Burger King and following along in his road atlas while his family was traveling.

Those who knew John remember him for his honesty, intelligence, strong convictions, and the sense of protection and strength he provided to his family. His loved ones also fondly recall his humorous "selective hearing," which brought many laughs over the years.

He was preceded in death by his son, John William "Billy" Peterson (1956); his father, Frederick William Peterson (1989); his mother, Ella Maxine (Fugitt) Peterson (2005); and his sister, Mona Lee (Peterson) Schmidt (2017).

John is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Donna Sue (Ferrell) Peterson; his daughters, Christine Rene (Steve) Hartman, Janet Kay (Tim, Sr.) Grider, and Nancy Lee (Ken Skaggs) Novak.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Gary Steven (Stephanie) Hartman, Kevin Eugene (Mackenzie) Hartman, Tiffany Marie (Jason) Gammill, Timothy Lee, Jr. (Laura) Grider, Terry Landon (Carrie) Grider, Jakeb Lawrence (Michaela) Novak, and Kurtis Joseph (Jessica) Novak.

His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren: Emma Grace Hartman, Lewis Oliver Hartman, Daniel Patrick O'Leary, Dylan Patrick O'Leary, Austin Michael (Allison) Gammill, Glen Christopher Gammill, Timothy Lee Grider III, Hunter Armor (Sierrah) Moore, Aubrey Grace Moore, Haisley Jewel Grider, Graham Lawrence Novak, Miles Joseph Novak, Corbin Vaughn Hammond, Ella Von Novak, Mason Joseph Novak and great-great grandson Bodie Warren Gammill and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Kearney, 925 E. State Route 92, Kearney, Missouri.

A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Three Rivers Hospice-Platte City at 700 Branch Street, Suite 4, PO Box 1937, Platte City, Missouri 64079.