Donald James Peterson

Donald James Peterson passed away peacefully February 19, 2014. He was born October 28, 1924 in Topeka, Kansas, growing up on a farm in North Topeka. He graduated from Seaman Rural High School in 1943, and entered the Army a year later. He was stationed in the South Pacific with the 785th Anti-Aircraft Artillery for most of his tour and received a Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and a Letter of Commendation before being honorably discharged in February of 1946. He married Margaret Louis Jacques on April 20, 1947. They were married 66 years. She preceded him in death July 20, 2013. Don was also preceded in death by his mother, Flora Fliess Stover. Don worked for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad early in his career, then joined Japan Air Lines as the head of the Dallas, Texas office. He later joined Korean Air Lines, before retiring to Topeka where he and Margaret opened Don-Mar Travel, a small business providing customized group tours to Las Vegas, Nevada and Branson, Missouri. Don was active in politics and in the Topeka Historical Society. He is survived by his daughter Rebecca (Rich) Poling. Visitation will be Sunday, February 23, 2014 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home in Topeka. Private interment will be Monday morning at the Prairie Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cat Association of Topeka, www.topekacat.org. Online condolences can be made at davidsonfuneral.com.