James "Sherm" Peterson

James Sherman Peterson (Sherm), beloved husband, dad, brother, grandpa, passed away at the age of 72 from complications from pneumonia on June 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was born in Ontario, Oregon to James A. Peterson and Lavon Brauer.  He married Jacqueline (Jill) Cima on October 5, 1967 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  Sherm is survived by his wife, Jill Peterson and their children Amy (Dave) Bain, Bountiful, Utah; Jason (Gwen) Peterson, Kaysville, Utah; Justin Peterson, Bountiful, Utah; Alicia (Marshall) Lay, Farmington, Utah; ten grandchildren: Riley Bain, Brenna Bain, Rachel Peterson, Jamison Bain, Brekke Peterson, James Peterson, Myley Peterson, Rebecca Peterson, Skylar Peterson, and Keagan Lay; two brothers and three sisters: Ronald (MaryLynn) Peterson, Pleasant Grove, Utah; Francene (Dale) Peterson, Bountiful, Utah; Pamela (Noel) Jorgensen, Box Elder, South Dakota; Darwin (Nola) Peterson, Mexico City, Mexico; Laurel (Jeff) Sayer, Eagle, Idaho.  He is preceded in death by his father, James A. Peterson; his mother, Lavon Brauer Peterson; and his sister, Claudia Peterson Cleverly.  

He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Sherm served an LDS mission in the Florida Mission.  He served faithfully in many LDS church callings during his life.  One of his prize possessions was his testimony and love for the Savior and his Heavenly Father.  Sherm was the perfect example.  He lived his life being obedient and taught others through his example. Sherm was known as a hard worker at whatever job he was tasked with.  He learned how to work hard growing up on a dairy farm and having to wake up at 4:00 am to milk.  His deepest love and service was to his family.  He spent endless hours teaching his children and grandchildren many tasks, even when it would have been a lot faster and easier for him to do it himself.  He was a devoted husband to his sweetheart and best friend Jill.  They would spend hours doing projects and working in the yard together.  He was the best dad and blessed the lives of his children with endless support and tireless service.  We don't think that he ever missed an event.  He was his children's and grandchildren's biggest fan.  His delight and ultimate reward was his posterity: ten grandchildren, three grandsons and seven granddaughters.  He loved them to come visit and sleepover.  He was happy to run carpool and take them to lunch, and he loved to attend as many activities and sporting events as he could.  His most joyous memories were the ones that he shared with his eternal companion Jill, his children and grandchildren.  Sherm loved Disneyland, Christmas and baseball, especially the New York Yankees.  He spent hundreds of hours coaching soccer and football.  So many young men to this day still call him coach.  Some of his other Christlike attributes are patience, kindness and integrity.  Most of the time he had endless patience.  He would let us fail and help us get back up and he always showed kindness to everyone.  He assumed the best about each and every person.  He was a man of integrity.  His word was a contract and he expected others were the same way.  At times this got him in trouble because he always thought that others were honest and would do what was right.  

His family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Lakeview Hospital and St. Marks Hospital that tended tirelessly to him over the past few weeks.  Thank you for all that you did!
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Bountiful Heights Ward chapel, 33 South Moss Hill Drive, Bountiful, Utah.  A viewing will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 6-8 pm at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah.   Family and friends may call Thursday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 am at the church prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to cover final medical expenses.  A Go Fund Me account has been set up at:  https://www.gofundme.com/shermpeterson