Funeral services for Ben Peterson, 83, of Florien, were held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the Festival Grounds in Florien. Burial will follow in the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery. Social distancing precautions will be followed. Please bring a mask for indoor use. Please feel free to dress comfortably and bring a lawn chair and a special memory for the outdoor service.
Ben D. Peterson was born on Sunday, September 20, 1936, in Many. He passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at Christus Highland Medical Center in Shreveport.
He was preceded in death by his parents, S.D. and Dollie Peterson; sister, Ann Peterson Salter; nephews, Cassell Lehr and Dannon Peterson; and an infant son.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sue Peace Peterson; daughter, Stacey and husband Dr. Bob Rao and their children Matthew and wife Judy; Jacob and wife Hannah; Sarah and husband Shawn Johnson and Grace; daughter, Jennifer and husband Don Salter and their children Daniel and wife Kacy, and Andrew; son, Stephen and wife Angel and their children Stone, Sydney, and Scarlett; brother, Billy Joe Peterson (Barbara); sisters, Connie Sandel (John) and Becky Lehr (Wayne); and a host of dear family and friends.
Ben D. is a lifelong resident of Florien. He was a proud Florien Blackcat basketball player and a member of the 1954 Championship Team. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he distinguished himself as an expert marksman. He was no stranger to hard work. Through the years he worked in his father’s logging business, offshore, and at Boise Cascade plywood mill. He also had a farm where he raised cattle, pigs, chickens, and horses, as well as a huge garden. He loved to brag about how many “tamators” he grew and generously shared his produce with the whole community. His claim to fame was working for A.J. Hodges and helping to build Hodges Gardens. He loved God, family, friends and food. His favorite pastime was horseback riding and trail rides with special friends. He turned his passion for food and the cowboy culture into chuck wagon cooking for family, friends, and the community. He also created a “western museum” on his property and loved to give tours and share stories about the “good ole days.” In retirement, he and Sue went on mission trips every summer to Honduras or Mexico and served with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief all over the southern and eastern coast of the U.S., including New York City after 911. He served as a deacon and a Gideon and every Christmas he and Sue volunteered with Operation Christmas Child. He lived a very full and active 83 years. He would say God’s goodness and loving kindness followed him all the days of his life, and he now dwells in the House of the Lord forever…
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Gideons International, Operation Christmas Child, or Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International (BMDMI).