Jerald "Jerry" Peterson

Jerald Glen Peterson, 84, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024. He was born on April 1, 1940, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Rufus Max Peterson and Faye Iva Redford.A year spent in Bolivia as a teenager ignited Jerald’s curiosity and wanderlust. After high school, he proudly served in the Army, stationed in peacetime Korea. Upon returning to Oklahoma, he met the love of his life, Molly McCoy, at the NOC Student Union in Tonkawa when she (accidentally?) fell into his lap.

They married in 1963, beginning a remarkable journey together. Jerald pursued a degree in Political Science at Oklahoma State University and later joined the Central Intelligence Agency as a Case Officer. During his 22 year career, he and Molly and family lived in Mexico City (twice), Paris, Santo Domingo, Morocco, and Libya, where he sought out foreign agents to recruit. Throughout these adventures, Jerald captured his experiences through watercolor and oil paintings, creating works that can be found in the homes of diplomats, businessmen, journalists, and art lovers around the world. He also holds 3 U.S. patents that speak to his love for creativity and ingenuity. In 2008, the Petersons were confirmed into Saint Brigid Church in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where Jerald began to dedicate his paintbrush to Inspirational Art. He found immense joy in sharing his talent with the church, creating four notable pieces: *Virgin of Guadalupe*, *Pope Francis*, *Divine Mercy*, and *Kateri Tekakwitha*, all of which hang in the church. In recent years, he offered watercolor classes every Tuesday at the Watercolor Barn, continuing to inspire aspiring artists in the community.

He was preceded in Heaven by mother Faye Williams, his step sister Charlotte King; his brother Larry Peterson, his son Larry August Peterson, and his grandson Jerry James Winburn.

Jerald is survived by his loving wife, Molly McCoy Peterson; daughters Polly Iva Brandt and Ellie Faye Vega; granddaughter Sarah Faye Winburn; grandson Dominic McCoy Vega; granddaughter Molly Isabel Vega Peterson; daughter-in-law Janine Peterson; son-in-law Martin Vega; son-in-law Carl Brandt; sister-in-law Nancy Peterson and nephews Leslie and Ron Peterson.

Jerald will be remembered not only for his adventurous spirit, dedication to country and family, but also for the beauty he brought to the world through his art and his faith. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9th, at Saint Brigid's Catholic Church in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at 2:00 PM with Father David Medina officiating. Family and friends are invited to join us for a memorial luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in the activity building, prior to services in the chapel.

Honorary pallbearers for Jerry include Robert Daniel, Robert Bailey, George Fulk, Karan Housley, Ellie Vega, Martin Vega, Dominic Vega, Molly Vega, Polly Brandt and Carl Brandt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Eastern Oklahoma Catholic Charities at [https://cceok.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://cceok.org/](https://cceok.org/).