Donald Lee Peterson, Sr.

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Donald Lee Peterson, Sr., who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 in Biloxi, MS.

Donald resided in Altoona, PA with his loving wife Sandra K. (Lowry) Peterson.  He was born in Tyrone, PA on September 16, 1955 to Donald R. and Eleanor L. (Wheland) Peterson.  He graduated from Tyrone Area Jr-Sr High School in 1973.  He earned an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts with High Honors from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1998. 

At the age of 18 he purchased his grandfather’s farm in Spruce Creek, PA and was an avid farmer.  He was a diesel mechanic for CATA, Director of Safety for the American Red Cross in Altoona, PA where he taught CPR/First Aid courses and was an Adjunct Instructor for Penn State Altoona teaching their First Responder Courses.  He owned and operated D&S Transportation and Safety, LLC with his son Donald Jr, which was an over the road trucking company and garage.  He held many certificates including his CDL, Inspection Licenses, and his Instructor Certifications for the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.

Donald loved to spend time with his family and friends, hunting with his brothers, sons, nephews, grandchildren and traveling as well as going out to eat. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald R. and Eleanor L. (Wheland) Peterson. 

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sandra K. (Lowry) Peterson; his daughter, Jeri (Byron) Patterson of Spruce Creek, PA; his sons, Donald L. Peterson, Jr of Spruce Creek, PA and Andrew (Jared) Peterson of Biloxi, MS; his grandchildren, Alexandra Veit, Madalynn Veit, Leo Veit, Daniel Peterson, Grace Peterson, Zachary Patterson, Lauren (Steven) Martsching, Ryan Patterson, Joshua Patterson, Nathaniel Patterson and Charleston Peterson; his great-grandchild, Sebastian Martsching and his brothers, Jeffrey Peterson of Spruce Creek, PA and Dennis Peterson of Altoona, PA.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Biloxi Internal Medicine Clinic, Merit Health Biloxi and Saad’s Hospice for their amazing care and support in this time of need.

Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Pass Road in Biloxi from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  There will also be a Celebration of Life at B&D Acres in Tyrone, PA on Friday, December 29, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

In lieu flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org).