Patrick Norman Peterson

10/14/1957 – 8/26/2024

Pat creatively moved through this world on his own terms leaving an inspiring legacy of valuing all people. He passed away at his home in the company of his beloved dog, Blue, in Yakima, WA, on August 26, 2024, at 66 years old. He was beautifully and lovingly returned to the Earth at White Eagle Memorial Preserve in Goldendale, WA, on September 9, 2024.

Pat was born to Norman “Pete” Fredrick and Dorothy Irene (Donnelly) Peterson in Yakima, WA. Lord bless his mama, as from an early age, he refused to wear shoes, hauled home nearly every critter he could get his hands on, and would even occasionally bring home the houseless “drifter” that he had befriended, to share a meal with his family. Pat challenged the patience of his teachers at Union Gap School (K-8), then brought these talents to AC Davis High School. He was affectionately known for taking his “pet” hawks to school, among other animals. This profound love and connection to animals was evident throughout his lifetime.

Pat married Karen Goodwin of Yakima, WA on June 5, 1977, at the tender age of 19 years old. They started their family two years later with the arrival of their first of three biological children (adopting their fourth nearly twenty years later). Pat worked many jobs to support their young family including orchard management, trash collection, and many years timber logging with Layman Lumber. In the mid-90s, he started his own company, Peterson Land Leveling, before transitioning into product transportation logistics. In 2006, he founded his second company, PTI Transportation, with the priority of treating carriers with respect and dignity. In his later years, Pat channeled his creativity into home projects though his business, Valley Restoration.

Pat made music and art, and brought so much beauty to life. At 9 years old despite only having three fingers on his left hand, he took on the challenge of learning guitar By 14 years old, he was playing gigs in local lounges. Over his lifetime, he became a master of his craft and instilled a deep passion for music in his kids and his grandkids. He described his unique music as “having no genre. I believe if it comes from the soul it is good. Every time I get to perform, I'm sharing a bit of my soul.” When he wasn’t playing music, he was rebuilding a motorcycle or an old car, refinishing antiques or repurposing them into works of art. He also had a passion for fishing, especially while boating on the Columbia River where he spent countless days fishing with friends and family.

Just like everything else in his life, his approach to God was unconventional, built on love and belonging. On October 18, 1987, Pat committed to a sober lifestyle followed by a lifetime of reinvesting in the clean and sober community. Generations of families are and will continue to be forever changed by him encouraging others to contemplate the existence of an all loving Creator. In the words of Athey Thompson, Pat found his place among the lost souls, the ones that were alone, broken, or never really fitted in; Pat opened his house and heart to them, and together they found home.

In 2011 at the age of 54 years, Pat received the devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. While he became a survivor, the extensive treatment took its toll on his body. In 2014, he was hospitalized with septic pneumonia with slim odds of survival. In 2020, he developed severe pancreatitis making the absorption of nutrients even harder. His overall health continued to decline until his body could fight no more.

He is dearly missed and revered by his children: Layci (Nick) Nelson, Heather (Kirk) Gulian, Chad (Stephanie) Peterson and Rowdy Peterson; his grandchildren: Lewis, Peter, Denton, Vance, Brynlee, Jordyn, Liam, Dylan, Blake, Shayla, and Journey; his former wife and mother of his children: Karen Peterson; brother: Randy (Ky) Peterson; brother-in-law: Raymond Linder; former brother-in-law: Derek (Kim) Goodwin; and former sister-in-law: Vicki (Frank) Chrisman; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog: Blue. He was preceded in death by his grandfather: Dee “Gramps” Oen; mother and father; brother: Timothy Peterson; sister: Karin Linder; and niece and nephews: Jeremy Peterson, Taylor Tefft and Jason Linder.

Thank you for breaking trail here on Earth. Thank you for showing us what it means to love people where they are. Thank you for passing along just enough of your audacity to empower us to create our own unconventional lives. We love you forever. See you in the next world.

“Everyone matters and no one is more or less important than you are.” - Pat Peterson

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