James Lee Peterson, affectionately known as “Pete,” was born on Oct. 28, 1950 to Earl Peterson Sr. and Mary Esther Peterson in Mathews, Virginia. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2026.
Pete attended Thomas Hunter School and graduated in 1969, the year before the Mathews County school system was totally integrated. After graduating from high school, Pete was offered a position at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, where he worked for six months before being drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He was discharged in December 1971, after which time, he returned to the shipyard, where he resumed his position as a pipefitter.
On November 10, 1973, he married the woman of his dreams, Brenda (Bunny) White. Pete and Bunny enjoyed their time as newlyweds, often riding his motorcycle on Sunday afternoons. The two were ecstatic when their first daughter, Tarsha, was born four years after their wedding, and three years later, they welcomed their second child, Kristen. While navigating life as a young parent, James joined the Army National Guard, where he served on weekends and during major events for seven years. During that time, he remained a diligent employee at the Newport News Shipbuilding until he retired 44 years later. After retirement, Pete embarked on a new career journey, serving as a stay-at-home grandpa for his then three-month-old grandson, Dallas. Pete served in this role for five years, until Dallas’s graduation from preschool. Left with additional time on his hands after Dallas’s ascension to kindergarten, Pete sought another career opportunity with Bay Aging Transportation in Gloucester, Virginia, where he befriended numerous people in the community as he transported them to their destinations across the Middle Peninsula.
In addition to his love for his family, James was an active, devoted member of the Wayland Baptist Church in Mathews. James joined the church at an early age and served in many roles over the years, including singing in the Male Chorus and the Combined Choir and serving on the Trustee and Deacon boards.
In his spare time, James enjoyed rooting for the Washington Commanders, hanging out with his grandchildren, listening to music while working in the garage, eating his favorite meals, and watching hours of The Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal, In the Heat of the Night, and Westerns. It was not uncommon to visit and find him and Bunny rewatching, quoting, and singing songs from their favorite movie, “The Temptations.”
James was preceded in death by his father, Earl Peterson Sr.; his sister, Shirley Fields; his mother, Mary Esther Peterson, and his niece, Phyllis Diane Miles. James leaves to mourn his loss his beautiful wife of 52 years, Brenda; daughters, Tarsha Ashford (Robert) and Kristen Peterson; brother, Earl Peterson Jr.; brothers-in-law, Kenneth White (Pamela) and Anthony White (Terra); sisters-in-law, Faith Carter and Carolyn Cox; grandchildren, Noah, Johnell, Nevaeh, and Dallas, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
James was a man of few words, but his infectious laugh, bright smile, and quiet spirit will be missed by many.
Viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m. January 23 at J.K. Redmond Funeral Home, 3632 Lewis B. Puller Memorial Hwy., Shacklefords, Va. 23156. Homegoing service will be at 11 a.m. January 24 at Newington Baptist Church, 6169 Main Street, Gloucester, Va. 23061. A repast will follow at Ware River Yacht Club, 5992 Ware Point Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061.