Douglas George Peterson

Douglas George Peterson, 68, was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 20, 2020.

Doug was born in Grand Rapids, MI on November 1, 1951, and was the son of Arthur and Edna Peterson. He attended East Christian High School and Northwestern University in Orange City Iowa. In 1970, Doug moved back to Grand Rapids, MI, and began work at Sveden House Smorgasbord where he remained for 22 years. Doug married the love of his life, Mary Maxwell, in 1971.

From the time of his salvation at the age of 14, Doug had a desire to serve the Lord. He was involved with a prison ministry when he was just a high school student. He served the Winnebago Indians in Nebraska sharing the good news of Jesus and loved serving as a leader for Campus Crusade.

Doug's passion for reaching people through the Word of God led him to earn his Masters degree in biblical studies through Liberty University and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. God used Doug and Mary in lay ministry at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, MI for many years. His dream of full-time ministry became a reality when he became the Director of the Singles Ministry at Calvary Church where he served for seven years.

In 1999, Doug and Mary moved to Antioch, Illinois where he served as the Senior Pastor of Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church for two years. Following his time at Chain of Lakes, Doug and Mary moved to Cumming, GA and were a part of Browns Bridge Church. God further used Doug on staff at Moody Bible Institute and as a professor of Biblical Studies at Liberty University.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Edna Peterson, his sister-in-law, Mary Peterson and his father and mother-in-law, Keith and Helen Maxwell.

Doug's greatest joy was found in being a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 49 years and his four children; Amy Blakeslee, Erin and Mickey Guridy, Lisa and Nate Ortiz, and Nathan and Holly Peterson. Doug loved being "Papa" and will be missed dearly by his ten grandchildren; Ginny, Avery, and Ben Blakeslee; Sam, Abe, and Levi Guridy; Grey and Lucy Ortiz; Sara and Knox Peterson.
He is also survived by Donna Woods (sister), Roseann Peterson (sister), Ron and Debbie Peterson (brother), Debi and Gary Smith (sister), Nancy and Jim Woodwyk (sister-in-law), Sue Kirsch (sister-in-law), Mark and Cathy Maxwell (brother-in-law), and Molly Maxwell and Kathy Crouch (sister-in-law) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Due to current conditions, the family will not be holding a public service. However, it would be such a blessing to read your memories and see your pictures of Doug posted on this page as we celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lewy Body Dementia Association: www.lbda.org.