Stephen Greacen Peterson Jr.

He was predeceased by his wife, Althea, and two siblings, Louise and Robert. He is survived by three children, Sarah (Lee) Perlov, Linda (David) Peterson and Stephen Peterson; five grandchildren, Nathan, Matthew (Kaitlin), Katie (Dustin), Daniel and Stephanie; sisters, Jeanne Holland and Mary Wood Scheible; many nieces and nephews, plus wonderful caregivers, Sai, Malick, and Mam.

“Pete” grew up mostly in Norfolk, Virginia, fishing, crabbing, etc. in the water near their home and enjoyed flying kites, camping with the Boy Scouts and many other activities.

“Pete” was proud of his Navy service in World War II. He started on Active Duty in November 1944 at Georgia Tech officer candidate school and served as a combat air crewman (radio radar) on the Lockheed twin engine patrol bomber until May of 1946. He then returned to GT to graduate in 1952 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

After working as an industrial engineer for NW Railroad in Roanoke, VA, and construction superintendent in Portsmouth, OH, “Pete” was set up on a blind date with what turned out to be the love of his life, Althea Givens of Giles County, Virginia. They were married soon after. He then went on to be a temperature control sales engineer in Atlanta and in temperature control at Powers Regulator Company in Greensboro, NC, “Pete” and Althea moved to Raleigh, NC, where he ended up working for the NC Department of Administration, and they moved to a “nice little house” on Newcastle Road where they lived for 6 decades.

“Pete” became involved in Masonic service around 1947 and served for over 50 years. He felt it would be good to have fellowship with similar people that would help make him a better man and it did! He became Master of William G. Hill Lodge in Raleigh in 1972. He took the Biblical charge to care for “widows and orphans” very seriously and was a great supporter of the Oxford Orphanage and many a “Ladies Night” honoring masonic widows. He was a Knight’s Templar in the York Rite and KCCH Scottish Rite and was a 32nd degree Mason.

Some of “Pete’s” loves besides Althea were Barney the beagle dog, who helped give him peace in the 70’s with long vigorous walks! Also, he was a lover of all things trains and worked as volunteer brakeman amongst other jobs at the New Hope Valley Railroad and as a volunteer train host on the Piedmont for 15 years serving on the inaugural trip of that train. He became a big CUBS fan with his son-in-law David thanks to WGN on cable TV. He bowled for many years on the Department of Administration team and continued in his 90’s to Wii bowl every week at Abbotswood where he and Althea moved in 2018. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed being involved in all their activities and overpaying them for yard chores.

“Pete” grew up in the Episcopal church but in the early 1970’s through the help of his brother-in-law, Ayler Holland, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Everyone who knew him was aware of the big change it made in his life after that and are thankful that he is now with Althea, enjoying his Savior face to face.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 1:00pm in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, officiating will be Dr. Ed McLeod. Burial will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors prior to the service, beginning at 12:00pm. The service will be Live Streamed for those unable to attend, with a link below, in the services box.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Pete’s memory to the Friendship Fund of First Presbyterian Church 112 S. Salisbury St. Raleigh NC 27601-1344, or by using the link below, under ‘donations’.

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