James "Jamie" Eugene Peterson

James “Jamie” Eugene Peterson, 61, a resident of Fairfield, Idaho passed from this earth on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Jamie was born on December 11, 1962, in Jerome, Idaho to Buzz and Carol Peterson. Jamie spent the beginning of his life in Richfield, Idaho where he lived with his parents, his brother Tom Peterson, and his sister Teri Peterson. In his early teenage years, Jamie and his family moved to the Diamond Dragon Ranch, south of Bellevue, Idaho. Jamie attended Carey High School where he graduated in 1981. While in high school Jamie was a standout athlete, he participated in football, track, and rodeo. In 1980 Jamie placed 1st in the Idaho State High School Rodeo Championship, in the steer wrestling event. This qualified him for the High School National Finals, where he competed in Yakima, Washington in July of 1980. The same year, Jamie qualified for the Nestea Junior National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. The next year, 1981, Jamie placed 3rd in the steer wrestling event, at the Idaho State High School Rodeo Championship. This qualified him for the High School National Finals, which he competed in Douglas, Wyoming.

After high school, Jamie attended some college at CSI as a diesel mechanic. Over the next handful of years, Jamie worked at multiple ranches around the western United States. Until he met his wife, Ann Larsen, in 1986, working at the Red Hills Ranch as a ranch hand in Jackson, Wyoming. Their budding romance quickly matured and soon turned into much more. Jamie and Ann were married on February 6, 1987, in Provo, Utah.

Soon after their marriage Jamie and Ann moved to the Diamond Dragon Ranch, where Jamie took up work as a ranch hand. They had their first son, Zackary James Peterson, on July 20, 1990. Life on the ranch continued throughout the following years. When Jamie wasn’t cowboying or working with his horses you could find him on the side of Silver Creek, the Big Wood River, or Anderson Reservoir casting flies or catch him hiking through the hills with his bow and bugle close by. He also enjoyed spending his free time tying flies and hanging out with his family and friends. Jamie loved everything that had to do with nature, the outdoors, and cowboying. He wanted to share that love with his son Zack. It wasn’t long after Zack’s birth that you could find him with his dad enjoying the great outdoors and learning everything he could about cowboying, fishing, hunting, and much more. Time quickly passed, and before they knew it another baby boy was on the way. Zack couldn’t have been more excited to have a little brother to share all that he had learned from Jamie. Jamie and Ann welcomed their second son, Erick Cleo Peterson, on March 31, 1998.

In 2001, a few years after Erick’s birth, the Diamond Dragon Ranch was sold and Jamie chose to move his family to the Camas Prairie, where they would put down their roots. That same year Jamie decided he wanted more than the cowboying life so he turned his side job into a career. He set out to become a Certified Farrier, and before the year was up, he had accomplished it. With his certification in hand, Jamie was ready to start his own business. With the help and support from his wife and family, he was able to do just that. Jamie spent the next 15 years establishing a large clientele base shoeing horses around southern Idaho and northern Nevada. Jamie was held with high regard and respected by his peers in the farrier world. During this period, Jamie spent all the time he could with his family and friends. When he wasn’t working, you could find him cheering on his sons during their sporting events or down at Linda’s Deli shooting it up with the old timers from around the Prairie.

In 2015, Jamie’s life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with Cirrhosis. And again, in early 2023 when he found out that he had liver cancer. These were surprising events for Jamie and turned his life a bit upside down. The diagnosis caused Jamie to start spending more time within the Camas County Community. Since 2015, you could find Jamie around the roads of Camas County looking for somebody to help out or just to chat with for a few minutes. He was always trying to be helpful and he always wanted to make someone's day better in any way he could.

Jamie was a one-of-a-kind friend, husband, father, son, brother, grandpa, and much more. Jamie will surely be missed by many, his family, his friends, and anyone who had the opportunity to know him.

Jamie is survived by his Wife – Ann Peterson of Fairfield, ID; Son – Zack Peterson of Fairfield, ID; Son – Erick (Maddie) Peterson of Meridian, ID; Grandson – Maverick Peterson of Meridian, ID; Parents – Buzz and Carol Peterson of Longmont, CO/Fairfield, ID; Sister – Teri Peterson-Seaquist of Fairfield, ID; Parents-in-law – David and Lorraine Larsen, Fairview, UT; Sisters-in-law – Ailene (Joel) Bascom, Salem, UT, Kristina (Kal) Skinner, Fairview, UT, Karin (Adam) Holden, Nephi, UT; and several nieces and nephews.

Jamie was preceded in death by his Brother – Tom Peterson of Bend, OR.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 at 1 pm at the Camas County High School Gymnasium in Fairfield, Idaho. Pastor Ron Geer will officiate.

Memorial Contributions may be made out to Camas Musher Athletic Booster Club PO Box 105 Fairfield, ID 83327.

Rest in Peace

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Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Gooding Chapel.

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