Jack Edward Peterson

Dr. Jack Edward Peterson, 76, of Decatur, Ga., died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008. Born in Cadiz, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1932, he was a son of Harold Philip Peterson Sr. and the former Lillian Elizabeth Allen. After serving in the Merchant Marine and the U.S. Air Force, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Columbia University, and later earned a master’s degree from Emory University and a Ph.D. from Georgia State.  He was retired from the faculty of the Emory University School of Medicine and will be remembered fondly for his lively teaching style. Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Mary Shelton Peterson; two daughters, Karen Peterson (Ricardo Castro) and Jan Rivers (Gordy); three sons, Jack (Jody) van Geldern; Stephen and Phil; grandchildren, including Jack McKay Carpenter, Julia Allen Carpenter and Sean Patrick van Geldern; brother- and sister-in-law, Bill (Jan) Shelton; sisters-in-law, Jackie Garabedian and Pam, Frances and Haarala Shelton; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Harold Philip Peterson Jr.   A memorial service is planned at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, with visitation afterward at the home of his daughter Jan, 2516 Manor Walk, Decatur. Arrangements by A.S. Turner and Sons (asturner.com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your charity of choice.