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Obituary for James Douglas Peterson
James “Doug” Peterson January 19, 1929 – November 6, 2016
Doug was born January 19, 1929 in Genoa, Nebraska, to Bill and Thelma Peterson. He had one older sibling, Rod. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1943.
After high school, he went to the College of Pharmacy in Oregon State University. After graduating in Pharmacy, he enlisted in the USAF where he spent five and a half years; half of his time was spent in the Far East, during the Korean War. He was separated from the Air Force as a Captain and then worked, as a pharmacist, in Beaverton and Newport. In 1955 Frenchy Arrell convinced him to come to Brookings as a full partner. He and Frenchy were partners for over forty years, based only on a handshake. Most partnerships do not last a year, so theirs was a good one.
As president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Doug originated and chaired the Nobuo Fujita project which won first place awards in the state and then nationally. He spent two terms as president of the Senior Chamber of Commerce and was three times chairman of the Azalea Festival. He served the local Elks Lodge as Exalted Ruler and then District Deputy for the Grand Exalted Ruler. He was Past Master and a life member of Sidney Croft Masonic Lodge. He was a member and life member of the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Hillah Shrine Temple and served as president of the local Shrine Club.
Doug served the city on various committees and spent time on the City Council.
His main love was the Chetco Pharmacy, his employees and customers. His worst time came when, because of health, he had to retire. He felt one of his main achievements was hiring Tim Yantis soon after he graduated from college – Tim would later own the Chetco Pharmacy.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents and his brother. He leaves behind nephews Steve and Bruce Peterson and niece Debra Oberbillig and her husband Joe.
He requested cremation, no funeral and no memorial. Inurnment will be in the Masonic Section at W.J. Ward Memorial Cemetery in Brookings, Ore.
