Lowell Thomas Peterson

Tom Peterson, born Lowell Thomas Peterson, loving husband, father, papa and friend to many, passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa on June 24, 2026 at the age of 79 due to kidney failure.

Tom was born in Plentywood, MT on May 12, 1947 to Glenn Alphonso Peterson and Josie Maxzeen Hovland (Peterson). He was raised in Montana until age four when the family moved to Concord, CA. He graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1965. After a stint at Diablo Valley College, he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War. Tom was stationed in Berlin for two years. He qualified as an expert rifleman and sharpshooter. Outside of marching in parades and maneuvers, his unit had guard duty at Spandau Prison where the sole inmate was Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's Deputy Fuhrer.

After the military, he started a 32-year career at AT&T/Pacific Bell in San Jose. In 1973 he moved to Healdsburg where he settled and spent the rest of his life. He continued his career as a maintenance splicer and construction splicer on rural roads and faraway places throughout Sonoma County, which he considered his dream job, working outside.

In 1985 he and his wife Jo started their lifetime hobby of volunteering. Over the years they volunteered as a team for many different causes and organizations. Tom was a Healdsburg Parks & Recreation Commissioner for 19 years. Other volunteer roles included St. John's School, Healdsburg Little League, the annual Senior Appreciation Dinner (washing pots and pans), Healdsburg High School Boosters, Healdsburg Lion's Club, Healdsburg American Legion, Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, Healdsburg's 150th Celebration and more. Tom also coached his son, Mickey, in soccer and T-ball.

Tom learned to take statistics for the Healdsburg Freshman Football team from Betty Lopeman. Tom and Jo took over varsity stats as well after Betty retired, and they enjoyed following the teams all over Northern California. Tom spearheaded renovations and updates of local monuments, including the Olympic Torch flame monument in the Plaza, repairs to the West Plaza fountain and the Plaza fountain. For many years he maintained the U.S. flag at the Mitchell Shopping Center.

Closest to his heart was volunteering with the City of Healdsburg Parks & Recreation Department for 16 years, often 40 hours a week until the grandchildren came along, then only on the days he wasn't caring for them. In 1997, Tom and Jo were the second recipients of the Marie Sparks Volunteer of the Year award for their continued service to Healdsburg. When he retired from that role in 2019, the Healdsburg City Council issued a proclamation thanking him and recognizing that he had accumulated about 25,000 hours of volunteer service to Healdsburg for many causes.

Tom had many hobbies, he was constantly reading newspapers (back to front daily since he learned to read) and books, especially military history and biographies. He was a lifetime collector of interesting toys, military models and Pepsi paraphernalia. Gardening with his green thumb, he created an oasis at his home's asphalt jungle. Tom and Jo, along with other family members, worked hard to help maintain the family property in Albion, where his parents retired after careers as teachers. Many happy occasions were spent in Albion.

Tom's favorite activity was being Papa to his grandchildren. He was present at almost every practice, recital, game and play, and loved being a grandpa taxi. He was very proud of them and was always at their activities early to make sure he didn't miss anything. When the first grandchild Katianne arrived, Jo was still working. Tom happily watched her many weekdays and walked all over town with her in a stroller. At this time he was baking scrumptious cookies he would share with various friends and businesses they encountered on their walks. Two months later in San Diego, granddaughter Madeleine arrived. Over the years Tom and Jo would visit four to five times a year, trying to be there for first days of school, birthdays and holidays, and see the showcase of her many interests and talents.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, son Joaquin Melendez Peterson and brother Glenn Henry Peterson. Tom was happily married to Jo Peterson since 1984. He leaves behind his sister, Patti Hanson (Bob); son, Mickey Walker Peterson (Katie); daughters-in-law, Donna Peterson and Stephanie Wickwire; and grandchildren Katianne Wickwire, Madeleine Peterson, Juliana Van Bakel and Andrew and Bodhi Ambrosi.

An informal gathering will be held Saturday, August 1, 11am to 2pm at the Abel De Luna Community Center, 1547 Healdsburg Avenue in Healdsburg. Tom's favorites will be served. All who knew him are welcome to drop by to enjoy food and share memories.

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · July 13, 2026