Lee Peterson

Lee Crandall “Pete” Peterson, 101, of Clemmons, NC, passed away on January 27, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family and his wife of 75 years, Helen.

Pete was born to parents Emmett Ray and Ruth Crandall Peterson on September 6, 1920, in Monmouth, Illinois. He was the middle child in a family of 10 siblings, 7 sisters and 2 brothers. In the 1920s and 1930s, Pete worked on the family’s farm where he learned the importance of hard work and developed his own work ethic.

In the little time that he had when he was not working on the farm, Pete grew to love the sport of baseball and became quite the pitcher. In 1941, he signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Like many young men of his age at the time, Pete joined the Army-Air Force after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was based in Arizona, working as an airplane mechanic and later trained pilots to fly B-25s, and other aircraft.

After the war, in 1946 Pete moved to Winston-Salem, NC, to continue with baseball as the pitcher for the Winston-Salem Cardinals. It was here he met and married his wife, Helen Gray, on November 2, 1946, at Urban Street Baptist Church in downtown Winston-Salem, NC.

Pete played and managed farm teams for the St. Louis Cardinals for 10 years. During these years, Pete and Helen began their family, which grew to 10 children; in which several took up Pete’s love for baseball and continued through college, and playing in the minor leagues.

Because of Pete’s love of people and the fact that he never met a stranger, he went on to Parkway Ford to sell cars and trucks for over 40 years, making many life-long friendships with co-workers and customers. Pete retired as one of the greatest salesmen at the dealership.

In his pastime, he enjoyed playing golf with friends and his sons at Hillcrest Golf Course. Not many places made Pete as happy as the golf course and sharing his love for the sport with others. But more than anything, Pete loved his family and throughout the years, enjoyed taking trips and spending time with all his children and grandchildren. Some of the best times were taking the family on beach trips. His faith in Jesus Christ was strong and he enjoyed his church family at Calvary Baptist Church, where he taught a men’s Bible study class and also was an Usher.

After a long, full, and blessed life of 101 years, Pete went home to be with God on January 27, 2022. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, 9 siblings, and his youngest daughter, Betsy Marie Peterson.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Helen, a son; Gary (Joan), a daughter; Pam (Johnny), Johnson, sons; Greg (Kathy), Mark (Andrea), Bob, David, Steve (Sydney), Brian (Claire), and Jim (April), along with 14 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

The Peterson family would like to thank the caregivers who have been a part of Pete and Helen’s life for the past few years, Amanda Hayes, Roshall Binyard, Tashina Wilborn, and Alesha Wilborn, who have all became family, and Trellis Supportive Care.

A private memorial service will be held for the family on February 11, 2022 at Hayworth-Miller, Kinderton Chapel in Advance, NC. A celebration of life for Betsy and Pete will be held at a later date for friends to pay their respects. A private burial will be held for both.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com