Ronald (Ron) Oren Peterson died at the McKay-Dee hospital on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. His death occurred secondary to injuries sustained in a tragic fall six days prior. However, his legacy reverberates through a lifetime of service to his faith, community, and above all, his family and friends.

Ron was born in Montpelier, Idaho and grew up in St. Charles, the son of Oren Peterson and Arline Holmes. His love for the outdoors and competitive sports is reflected in his accomplishments throughout his childhood and adolescence. He earned the Eagle Scout award at the age of 13. During his high school years at Fielding High in Paris, he participated in track, was the starting guard for the basketball team, and the quarterback for the football team. His accomplishments in the latter sport earned him a football scholarship to Weber State.

A favorite family story captures beautifully one of Ron's most endearing traits: his persistence. Upon spotting a girl by the name of Cleone Taylor at an eighth grade dance, he turned to his parents and said: "Do you see that girl there? I'm going to marry her someday!" In November 1960, his prediction was realized; he and his high school sweetheart married in the Logan temple.

Because Weber State was then a two-year college, Ron completed his college education at Utah State University. This sparked the beginning of a career in the banking business. After a short-term stint as a tax auditor in Los Angeles, he returned to his hometown roots, where he and Cleone eventually settled in Montpelier, Idaho. Ron worked at Tri-State Bank and Trust, which eventually sold out to Zion's Bank in the 1990s. Ron retired as the bank's president at the age of 60 in 2001.

Ron's commitment to the greater good was evident in his willingness to accept several responsibilities in his civic and faith communities. He has served as a member of the city council, Paris Lion's Club, Bear Lake Rangers, Health Care Foundation, and directed the local mosquito abatement program. A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ron served in numerous callings, including bishopric counselor, bishop, high counselor, and young men's president. This latter calling included many years of coaching church basketball and softball teams, in which he touched the lives of dozens of boys, including his sons. Additionally, Ron & Cleone served a LDS mission together as facilitators for the addiction recovery program. Most recently, Ron and Cleone again served together as temple workers in the Logan temple.

As if these responsibilities could not provide enough entertainment for Ron, he became an avid runner in his early 40s. It is no exaggeration to say that his feet have literally covered tens of thousands of miles. His love for this sport brought him years of strong physical health, dozens upon dozens of wins in competitive races, and more than a little worry from his dear wife. In addition to several smaller local races, he ran 53 marathons during his running career, which included the famous Boston marathon. He was also a member of the 20-year St. George marathon club. Moreover, generations of runners in Ron's family have attributed their love of the sport to watching him. One culminating honor that combined his love of running and his devotion to civic affairs came to Ron in 1996, when he became an Olympic torch bearer for the 1996 Atlanta, Georgia games.

Despite these laudable accomplishments in Ron's personal life, the essence of his character shined brightest in his intimate, personal relationships as a devoted and cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He shared his love of the outdoors with his sons, with whom he cleared trails for the forest service and cut posts for his small business. In this small act of love, he was a mentor and teacher, instilling in his sons the value of honest, hard work. He has been a constant support to his children in their later years of adulthood, and to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He has participated in numerous activities with lifelong friends from the Bear Lake area. Most importantly, he and his wife have remained devoted partners for nearly 56 years. Despite Cleone's protest to the contrary, Ron would always consider her his better half.

Ron is survived by his wife, Cleone; two younger brothers; three sons, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Viewings and funeral services will all be held at the Montpelier 1st/4th Ward Building located at 485 S 7th St, Montpelier, ID. Funeral services will be on Monday, October 3rd at 11:00am. There will be a viewing Sunday, October 2nd from 6pm-8pm. and Monday October 3rd from 9:00am-10:45am prior to the services. The burial will be in the St Charles Cemetery.