Darwin Leon Peterson's Obituary
Our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to Darwin “Pops” Leon Peterson, our cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who passed away on January 25th, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born on March 8th, 1949, in Alexandria, Minnesota, Darwin filled our lives with love, laughter, and countless unforgettable moments.
Darwin was a true family man, always kind and patient with everyone he met. His calm nature drew people to him, especially children who loved being in his presence. His calmness made it easy for him to teach his children and even other children how to drive. He never judged others and made everyone feel welcome—he truly never met a stranger. He was a devoted Christian and had a strong relationship with Jesus.
His passion for life was evident in everything he did. Darwin loved tractors and spent countless hours restoring them, cherishing the nostalgia they brought. His love for music was unmatched; he was our very own karaoke king who could play the piano and sing his heart out. He even had a stage set up in his shop with vintage microphones, bringing joy to all who joined his impromptu concerts.
Darwin had an incredible talent for fixing anything, even when others wouldn't dare to try. His intelligence and problem-solving skills were remarkable—he could troubleshoot issues over the phone without even seeing them. This made his career in GE Medical successful. His love for technology kept him always ahead, following every new advance with excitement.
Family time was precious to Darwin. We have fond memories of driving around together, admiring Christmas lights, and simply enjoying quality moments with one another. This Valentine's Day would have marked 21 beautiful years together with his loving wife, Mary Lea.
Darwin is preceded in death by his parents Ernest Paul Peterson and Leona Alma Augusta (Boettcher) Peterson; and his grandchild Brennan Hall.
He leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness. Darwin is survived by his devoted wife Mary Lea Peterson; his son Travis Peterson and his wife Shauna; his daughter Carrie Everidge and her husband Jacob; his step-children Debra Sipes and Brenda McCollough and her husband Kyle; grandchildren Jaycee Peterson, Ellis Peterson, Miles Everidge, and Baker Everidge; step grandchildren Amber Truitt, Travis Williams, Kendal Brown, Ryan Riggs, Brittany Bailey, and Tanner Sipes; his sister Dianne Alveshere; his great grandchildren Mackenzie Williams, Tucker Williams, Tenley Williams, Hudsyn Truitt, Masyn Truitt, McCoy Truitt, Shepherd Brown, Jocilea Brown, Fletcher Brown, Adelaide Riggs, Anora Riggs, Abram Riggs, and Brooks Bailey; along with many other family members and friends who will forever cherish Darwin’s memory. He was an inspiration to many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Visitation to come and pay respects to Darwin will be on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 1:00PM till 5:00PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. A celebration of Darwin's life will be held on Monday, February 3rd, 2025, at 12:30 PM at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will take place on Monday, February 3rd, 2025 at 3:00PM at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Remembrance. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made in Darwins honor to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Cure Foundation at http://pkdcure.org.
We will always remember Darwin's generous spirit, compassionate heart, and the endless love he bestowed upon us. Rest in peace, dear Darwin—you will live on forever in our hearts.
Floral Haven will be live streaming the services for anyone that is not able to attend in person. To attend virtually please utilize the link below. The link will be active 15 minutes prior to the start of the service. If you are experiencing any issues with the link, please contact Floral Haven.
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/109132
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