James Michael (Mick) Peterson

St. George, Utah-
James Michael (Mick) Peterson passed away peacefully on the evening of January 20, 2022, at his home in St. George, Utah from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. His loving wife Barbara was by his side. His struggle with Parkinson’s truly cut his time short on this Earth, and he will be dearly missed.
He was the only child born to Norris (Mike) Peterson and Naomi Ferguson on Dec 3, 1944, in the old Lehi Hospital. He came into the world two months premature, feet first, and weighing just over 3 lbs.
He was raised in Orem and spent a great deal of his time on his grandparents’ fruit farm located at the mouth of Provo canyon known as the Ferguson Farm. He attended Geneva Elementary, Orem Jr. High, and graduated from Orem High where he was a multi-sport athlete. He served as a captain of the first football team to win state.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Utah National Guard. After returning, he attended and graduated Brigham Young University earning a Bachelors’ Degree in Education. During this period, he met and married LaReta Lewis of Pleasant Grove, UT, later divorced and married his second wife Barbara Sceili of St. George, Utah.
Mick and his first wife built a home on the family’s farm in Orem and had 5 children including Tylyn (Tad) Weight, Paul (Emily), Tad (Jennifer), Shawn (Mindy), and Jamie (Nathan) Hoyal. His posterity includes 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren from his first marriage.
Due to his love of Orem High School, he returned to teach US History, Drivers Ed, and Recreation. He also coached football, baseball, and golf where he coached the team to 2 state championships. He also was an Athletic Director.
He was active in the Orem City Community Sporting programs. Because of his schedule as a teacher, it gave his family the opportunity to enjoy time at the baseball parks, snow skiing, dirt biking, camping, and boating at Lake Powell. To supplement his teaching salary, he continued to run a portion of the family farm. He developed a strong work ethic. Much of his life he was up by 5 am. During his career he formed a number of lifetime friendships with his coworkers. He also enjoyed meaningful relationships with J.T. Walker (stepfather), Ila R. Peterson (stepmother), his stepsiblings, David (Heidi), Mike (Marlae), Mark (Janice) Rindlisbacher, Cathy (Ken) Berg, Leean (Terry) Jensen, and his 21 step-nieces and nephews.
After retiring, Mick moved to St. George, Utah in 2004. Mick met many new friends down in St. George, where he enjoyed fishing, exploring on his four-wheeler, riding his motorcycle, and riding his bicycle all over Washington County. He also had the opportunity to travel to the Southwest and Mexico with some of his new friends.
It was also in St. George where he met his second wife Barbara Sceili. They were married in March of 2015. They enjoyed seven amazing years together, rooting for their favorite teams; BYU, the Jazz, and wherever Tom Brady played, and enjoying his new family. Through this marriage Mick gained two children, Sara (Richard) Atwood and Spencer V. Sceili (Eden) and become grandpa to eight new grandchildren.
During his time in St. George, Mick also had the opportunity to coach his oldest grandson’s baseball team, which he enjoyed very much. With his new family they also enjoyed, swimming, bicycling, playing outdoors, playing dolls and cars, and laughing.
Mick served at the St. George Temple. He loved going to the temple and loved being a temple worker.
He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Sceili, their two children, and eight grandchildren. Proceeded in death by his parents, stepmother, one grandchild, two great-grandchildren, and several of his dear friends, as well as first wife, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
A special thanks for the kindness of Encompass Hospice to both Mick and Barbara during this time, especially Dr. Stratford, Carla, Tammy, and Josi. The care they have given was much appreciated.
We would also like to express our thanks to Ovation Senior Community and their staff. They provided an unusually high level of care, respect, kindness, tenderness, and treated Mick and Barbara like family. We know that the staff will miss Mick as well.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any contributions be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation. If you would like to contribute to this cause, you may click the link below:
https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8OPBhDtARIsAKQu0gbFzdbJxGfKzgge8-e21c9gJR7Y4sqoV8CU6OJ98QdmaIkBmVIr1KkaAtQgEALw_wcB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_AlwaysOn_Brand&utm_term=the%20parkinson%27s%20foundation
Services for Mick will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street. A visitation will take place on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Another visitation will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 12:30 – 1:30 pm. Funeral Services will follow immediately after on Monday, at 2:00 pm. Mick will be buried in the St. George Cemetery, following his funeral services.
If you would like to watch the services virtually, you may click the link below:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/68028/hash:1FC1C92111A4B4CC
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Mick’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com