Chris Eugene Peterson

Chris Peterson of Stafford, Virginia passed away on January 11, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. Chris was 54 and leaves behind his beloved wife. Deanna; three children, Shavon, Brandon, and Kyle; two grandchildren, Haven and Izaiah; his parents; his siblings; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be missed dearly by his family and his friends. He was their anchor.

Chris’s life can be defined by many things. His sense of fun, his sense of humor, his devotion to his family, and particularly noteworthy his strong sense of duty and of service to his country. Something that defined his career and much of his life.

He was a graduate of William Penn High School in York, Pennsylvania and in 1987 enlisted in the Navy where he served as a highly trained radar technician. He served aboard the U.S.S. Princeton, a guided missile cruiser, and was aboard the ship in January 1991, when she struck two mines in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. Chris was proud of being a part of the crew that kept the ship afloat and delighted in seeing the proud ship, not only saved, with no loss of life, but repaired and returned to service. He described the experience as harrowing, but knew, that during that trying time, that was the place he was supposed to be.

Chris chose to leave the Navy in 1994 to pursue a college degree in Criminal Justice. This would come to define to remainder of his professional life. He graduated from Penn State University, worked in security for the Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant, and provided lineman services for Comcast, before being recruited for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This was without qualification his dream job. He began his career as a field agent in Detroit working counter terrorism. After Detroit he was assigned to the Attorney General’s protection detail. He was then promoted to the operational technology division – tactical operations division.

Chris served the people of the United States faithfully and diligently as a special agent of the FBI from 2004 to 2023. His goal was to retire in January 2024 and move south to enjoy more time with his family. He enjoyed spending time with his family while fishing, shooting pool and playing with his grandchildren. Riding motorcycles, mowing the lawn, and continuously sending selfies, or food pictures, while traveling was also one of his hobbies. Just ask his kids.

Studying scripture, representative of his profound Christian faith, was a big part of his life that gave him a contagious positive attitude that influenced everyone one around him – even during his final days. He continued, no matter what, to put others first. One of his favorite quotes was “my blood type is B-positive so that’s what I try to be, positive.”

Chris’s battle with cancer led him to write a few words shortly before his passing. He knew his end was near and he wanted to leave a few thoughts. It’s a brave statement of his personal philosophy and of the power of his faith. We quote it, in full, here:

“This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all-the-day-long”

On July 7th, 2022, the day of my wife and my anniversary, I was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. Like so many others who have received the big “C” diagnosis, it felt like I had just been convicted and sentenced to death. However, I didn’t shake, shiver, tremble or even cry. Everything seemed surreal. That’s because there was much more going on. It’s as if the crushing news was immediately met head on with my faith that Jesus was going to pull me through. Besides, he knew this day would come long before I was in the womb and even before the foundations of the earth were established. Because he knows my ending and beginning. There really was no reason for me to worry or fear. Even if the worst-case scenario comes true, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

As Chris said, in citing Corinthians, we know he is with the Lord now.

A visitation for Chris will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Rd, Stafford, Virginia 22554. Following the visitation will be a celebration of life at 2:00 PM at Marine Corps Quantico Chapel, 3251 Embry Loop, Quantico, VA.

All non-military guests must register through the visitor control center located at: Bldg. 20731 Telegraph Rd. Stafford, VA 22554.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonstafford.com for the Peterson family.

Psalm 23 reads:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Matthew 25:21

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’