Terry Peterman

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Terrell "Terry" Kenton Peterman, 57, of Mountain Home, died Sunday, March 23, 2008, while at home with family, after a two-year battle with brain tumors.

"Terry's deep faith in God sustained him throughout this difficult time. He taught us all that death is not to be feared when we are safe in the hands of God," his family said.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 27, from 4-7 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene, 950 N. 7th East St. Internment will follow at 3 p.m. at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery in Boise.

Terry was born to Kenton H. Peterman and Ruth Jerome Peterman on May 9, 1950, in Nampa. Raised in Idaho, he grew up working on a dairy with a family until he graduated from Middleton High School in 1969 and then entered the US Army, where he served as a Chief Warrant Officer during the Vietnam War. Terry flew both gunships and troop-carrying helicopters throughout Vietnam and as part of the military's secret Lam Son mission into Laos. Terry received commendations for his performance and was awarded two Purple Hearts during his military service.

Terry partnered with his father, Kenton, and brother, Jerry, in their Peterman Farms agribusiness operation in Mountain Home for the past 34 years. During that time he used his helicopter experience to do crop dusting. Later he enjoyed operating the large baler, harvesting alfalfa. He and his wife, Debbie, spent many "dating hours" in the baler. Then he had a passion for planting corn and watching it grow, his family said.

"He was well known as a man of integrity as well as one with a keen sense of humor," his family noted, adding that "Terry appreciated the fellowship and support of his church family, especially his Bible Study group, at Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene."

Terry is survived by: his wife of almost seven years, Debbie; sons Dan Peterman of Boise and Ben and his wife, Julie Peterman, of Mountain Home; his mother, Ruth Jerome Peterman; sisters Kaye and her husband, Jim Black, and Susan Conley, all of Tampa, Fla., his sister Paula and her husband, Alton Huyser, of Shoshone; his brother, Jerome ("Jerry"), and his wife, Tresa Peterman of Mountain Home, two nieces and a nephew; his mother in-law, Frieda Bertsch of Mountain Home; stepdaughters Sarah and her husband, Jeff Carothers, of Grand View, Cassie Davis of Bruneau, and four grandchildren.

Terry was preceded in death by his father, Kenton, in 1997.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Angels Anonymous, c/o Horizon Home Health, 560 N. 6th East St., Mountain Home, ID 83647, or MSTI, 100 E. Idaho, Boise, ID 83712, or World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063.