1920-2013
John H. Peters was born on December 13, 1920, in Sheridan, and passed away at his home in Twin Bridges, on Feb. 11, 2013.
John attended school at Wisconsin Creek and rode horseback to school two miles each way. After finishing the eighth grade, John attended high school in Twin Bridges, graduating in 1939.
He did ranch work from 1939 to 1955. He then moved into town in 1959 and lived with his mother Violet Peters Rayl to help care for her.
Paul Cushman had opened a gas station across from the Blue Anchor in Twin Bridges, so John went to work for him in 1959 and stayed there for 18 years. He ran the bulk truck delivery for years and was out at all odd hours bringing fuel to ranchers who had run out during haying operations. When Bill McGregor bought the Phillips 66 station, John continued as his chief attendant until 1981.
Repeatedly, John was seen wrestling semi, tractor and truck tires that were bigger than he was, for he was five feet seven inches and weighed in at 140 pounds. His cheery greeting and courteous, competent service were greatly appreciated and much missed by Twin Bridges residents when John left the station. John spent his life in the Ruby Valley, a life he fully enjoyed. The friendships he made kept him in the Ruby Valley by choice.
Having a new T-Bird of LTD and traveling the country were John's main pleasures. In 1963, he drove to Nashville, TN to see the Grand Ole Opry. Over the years he also toured the East Coast, Canada and the western and southwestern United States. John belonged to the West Gate Lodge No. 27, A.F. & A.M., Daisy Chapter 20 OES, the Elks Lodge of Virginia City and the Twin Bridges Alumni Association.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Skillicorn Peters, and father, Thomas Henry Peters. He has one surviving cousin, Linda Satterly of Butte.
Memorials in John's memory can be made to the Twin Bridges Historical Association, PO Box 227 Twin Bridges, MT 59754.
A celebration of JP's life will be held Saturday, March 2, at 3:00 PM at the Lost Cabin Bar, Main Street, Twin Bridges.
K&L Mortuaries & Crematory assisted with arrangements.
Lavina Paget Smith
1916 – 2013
Lavina Paget Smith, 96, formerly of Dillon, passed away at Spring Ridge Assisted Living in Wheatridge, CO, on Feb. 12, 2013. She was born April 16, 1916, in View, ID, to Samuel and Lavina Yates Paget. She was married to Arnold E.Smith on the Nov. 24, 1936, in Lake Point, UT. She is survived by daughters Patricia (John) Brewer and Lana (Ed) Toren, five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Brundage Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 19 at 3 p.m.
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