John Peterson

John Merrill Peterson Jr, 77, of Gulf Breeze, FL passed away peacefully at home on 11/20/25. Born in Pensacola in 1948, he lived on East Bay for almost fifty years where he caught thousands of mullet with a cast net and enjoyed sharing his mastery of frying them with his family while enjoying music by Leon Russell and Willie Nelson.

John worked as a telecommunications technician for decades. He was also quite the handyman, working to add a second story to his house, single-handedly building a carport and, ultimately, crafting a wooden john boat that won First Place at Pirates Cove Wooden Boat Festival in 2007.

Preceded in death by his parents John Merrill Peterson Sr and Evelyne Malone Peterson and his niece Kim Copeland, John is survived by his wife Rosemary Posey Peterson, sister Donna Peterson Copeland, brother Linn Peterson and his wife, Martha; children David Merrill Peterson and his wife Dale; Elanor Peterson and Elizabeth Peterson, as well as grandchildren Ben Grady and Lucy Grady; nieces Kelly Copeland Kramps; Bryce Copeland Martin; Caylinn Peterson and Marlee Peterson.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze, FL on December 4th at 11 am commencing with Fellowship one hour prior.