Howard Peterson

1922 - 2021

Mount Vernon - In loving memory of Howard Peterson October 22,1922 - May 25, 2021. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 1825 E. College Way in Mt. Vernon, October 2nd at 11am.

Howard was born in Cooks, Michigan on October 22, 1922. Cooks is a small farming and logging community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, just outside of Manistique. Howard was the youngest of 3 sons born to Oscar and Hazel Peterson. Just before the start of World War II, Howard graduated from high school.

He was drafted into the Army on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After training to drive and repair tanks, he was deployed to France as a part of the 97th Infantry. He drove his 32 ton M7 tank across Belgium, Holland, into Germany, and then to Czechoslovakia supporting the troops as they made their advance.

Howard took advantage of the GI Bill and went to the Chicago Watchmaking School. He later became a certified gemologist. Howard returned to the Manistique, Michigan area where he married Marie Patz in 1947. Howard and Marie had 2 children, Luana and Steve. Howard worked as a watch repairman and jewelry store manager in Manistique until the late 1950s when he and his wife divorced.

Howard moved to Bay City, Michigan where he worked in the watch and jewelry industry and it was there he met and married his sweetheart Dorothy "Dodie" Cole in 1965. Not long after he and Dodie moved to the Pacific Northwest and finally settled in Mt. Vernon. In 1972, they bought Smaby's Jewelry store on Main Street. This then became Peterson's Jewelry, well known for the iconic street clock out front, where they served their community as the favorite local jewelry store. Years later, Howard moved Peterson's Jewelry to Pine Street. He kept his shop there until he retired in 2016 at the age of 94. Dodie passed away in 2004 after a long illness. Howard had 3 stepchildren with Dodie; Julie, Randall and Duane.

In 2011, Howard married his current wife Linda Cracolice. Howard had one stepdaughter with Linda, Amber Fleckenstein.

Howard loved Mt. Vernon and all his friends and customers. He enjoyed golf, woodworking, traveling, especially to Mariners games with his buddies and granddaughter Sara, and playing cribbage with his friend Jim. He was honored as a World War II veteran at the Skagit Vets Connection ceremony in 2012. He was proud to have met and talked with Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense.

Howard was predeceased by his parents; Oscar and Hazel Peterson, his brothers; Helmer and Walter, his first wife; Marie, his second wife; Dorothy (Dodie) and his granddaughter; Kristine.

He survived by his daughter; Luana Eggert (Ron) and their daughters Michelle (Alan) and Melissa (Ted), his great grandchildren Ashley, Brandon, and Sydney, and 2 great-great grandsons, Xavier and Ryan. He is also survived by his son; Steve Peterson (Yulan) and his granddaughter, Samara. With his wife Dorothy, he is survived by his step-daughter Julie Zanner (Jim), their daughters Sara Fassett (Jonathan) and his great-grandchildren Jordyn and Taylor, Aimee McGuire (Jason) and his great-grandchildren Reece and Nathan, and his step sons; Randall Cole and Duane Cole (Barb) and his grandchildren Nikki and Brandon. He is also survived by his wife of 10 years, Linda Cracolice and his step-daughter Amber. Howard also has a niece; Alane Wills, nephews; Darryl Peterson (Kathy) and Dan Peterson (Linda) and their families.

All of Howard's family and many friends will miss him very much.