Greg Peters
December 22, 1959 - May 12, 2023
Gregory Robert Peters was born to Robert J and LuJeanne Barnett Peters on December 22, 1959 in Ogden, Utah. Greg was greeted at home by his two older sisters, Krezel and RuthAnne. With his arrival the Peters’s family was complete.
The family moved to Provo when Greg was in the third grade. Greg had a magical childhood full of memories and stories he would reflect on yearly with his students. The Edgemont neighborhood was an idealistic setting, this is where Greg learned the value of loyalty and lifelong friendship. Of all the many friends made in Provo, Craig Fletcher was his best. These two were sewn together at the hip. Greg and Craig were mischievous and fun boys, both with good and kind hearts.
Greg attended Edgemont Elementary and Dixon Jr. High, where he was elected Student Body President; you might say this is where his love of politics began. He later was voted Junior Class President at Provo High and Governor of Boys State , earning full ride college scholarships to his choice of Utah universities and colleges. After finishing his junior year at Provo High, Greg attended Timpview High School and was part of the first graduating class. Greg loved both of these institutions greatly and was very proud of his time at each. Greg was unique in the way he loved his adolescent years. These years were spent on the baseball field and basketball court, he would teasingly tell us, “I was kind of a jock.” Though that may true, his true skill set was in the debate and theater programs. Greg was a national debate champion, earning the coveted Triple Ruby award for his work in Extemporaneous debate. Greg was a character actor who loved Shakespeare and classic American pieces. He loved playing Bottom and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Grandpa in You Can’t Take it With You, and the Stage Manager in Our Town. Many years, many characters, many favorites, he loved the stage. Along with his Boy’s State scholarships, he received debate scholarships to both Loyola Marymount and Odessa College. Greg grew restless with debate and so he returned home to attend Brigham Young University where he pursued theater and political science. Although he loved the Y, he knew it wasn’t exactly the best fit and he finally landed at the University of Utah.
In 1984 while working at Mullboons Restaurant he met the love of his life, Ruth Reese, a second grade school teacher. He wooed Ruth for a bit before losing all control and falling madly in love. Greg and Ruth were married on a beautiful fall day in 1985. In 1988 on Christmas Day, they welcomed their beautiful Molly into the world. Molly would be their only child after Ruth experienced health problems beginning in 1992. Molly had her dad wrapped around her finger from the moment he laid eyes on her.
After working in the insurance field for a few years he decided teaching was his calling. He received his Masters of Education from The University of Phoenix. Greg taught English at Olympus Jr., Bennion Jr., and his last year at Taylorsville High.
Greg loved his students. He connected with the diversity each student brought to his classes and used this to spur great class discussions. Greg loved reading and he was determined to pass this love onto his students. He thrived on the challenge of taking a non-reader and seeing their spark for the written word come alive. Many students told Greg they never picked up a book until taking his class. These were always his proudest moments as a teacher.
To the chagrin in of his mom and in-laws, Greg was a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party. He ran for the state legislature twice while supporting personal choice and regulation of gun control. He spoke out to those having opposing views but was realistic when it came to Utah politics. He understood that compromise and working together across the aisle would benefit Utahns more than opposition. When his long time friend(and first childhood girlfriend) Becky Price Edwards, lost her run for the senate seat he was incredibly disappointed, knowing this was the type of person who could make a real change for our state. Despite his strong political views, he loved family, neighbors, and friends no matter their affiliation. He knew he was right in the long run!
For twenty plus years Greg went on a week long golf adventure with his friends; Bruce, Greg, and Mark. It was on one of their early adventures when Greg showed his first signs of MS. These three were truly loyal buddies who very aware of Greg’s limits, never letting his disabilities take away from their joint fun. These same friends were by his side in 1991 for game 6 and 7 of the World Series when his beloved Minnesota Twins defeated the Atlanta Braves for the championship. In Greg’s final days when his brain and memory were betraying him most, he could still talk baseball with Bruce and Mark, his words were limited but we find a lot of peace knowing he could recall the good times with good friends.
Greg loved watching sports. His favorite teams were the Minnesota Twins (Twins Win), BYU Cougs, the Utah Jazz, and most recently he decided to jump on the bandwagon and become a Kansas City Chiefs fan despite the fact that his wife was a lifelong fan of their rival, the Denver Broncos. Greg and Ruth always engaged in good sports banter with their divided Ute and Cougar household. Eventually Greg learned to enjoy following the Utes because of Ruth. They attended the Rose Bowl this past January, one of their final good memories together.
Greg loved being Molly’s dad. He was so very proud of her hard work and vibrant personality. He especially enjoyed watching her with her children. He thought Molly was an incredible mom. Molly will hold her memories tight and miss her dad each day. She will forever be grateful for the time her dad had with both of her kids but will always wish for more.
Throughout their marriage Greg supported Ruth in all of her endeavors. She felt he saw her as a much better person than she actually is. He loved her dearly and Ruth will miss him EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Their marriage was real, full of the ups and downs life throws their way but through it all, these two had an incredible bond from the moment they met until their final goodbyes.
Greg was preceded in death by his dad, Bob, sisters, Kris, and RuthAnne. In-laws Ralph and Rita Reese, nephew Jesse and best friends David and Dianna, along with special Aunts and Uncles, cousins, and friends. He is survived by his mom, LuJeanne, of Clinton, Utah, his beloved wife, Ruth, daughter Molly, grandchildren Sia Pilivi, and Wilder Peters. His brother-in-law, Cal Yoshimura, and nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. Greg also leaves behind his much loved Betsy the Basset and Boo Radley, his golden retriever.
In Greg’s memory we ask that you find a good book and a comfortable chair, catch a ballgame, rewatch a favorite movie or simply enjoy a good laugh with an old friend.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 16th. A visitation will begin at 5:00 PM with a Memorial Service beginning at 6:00. Wasatch Lawn Memorial 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, Utah.
Bryan Chapman
Sad to hear about the passing of Greg Peters. I enjoyed communicating with him through Facebook over the years. I played his father in the play Two Gentlemen of Verona in 1978. I also really enjoyed watching him in the production of Our Town at Provo High the year before the two school split.
Gone, but NEVER forgotten.
Steven Perry (Perry)
I only had a bit part in PHS's production of "Our Town," which meant I had lots of time to watch and be amazed by Greg's portrayal of the Stage Manager. Maturity beyond his years.
Rene Mayfield (Kesler)
Greg and I were in the same Mrs Oldroyd English class in 9th grade. At the end of the year she let us play music. Greg played Our House by Crosby Stills and Nash. He sang every word. I can still see him in the back right seat. 😃🎶Carlyle Curtis
Greg and I were both in the play You Can't Take It With You our senior year at Timp View. Greg acted so skillfully and naturally that it would be easy to think that he was just talking to us. But then, we would realize that the words he was saying were his lines from the play. His skill level in drama was way above the rest of us.
Sharon Harward (Lines)
From: Ray Lines
Greg was in the first rock band I ever played in. Back in 9th grade Vince Bussio was the drummer, Greg was rhythm guitar, Lance Workman lead guitar and I played the bass. We played our first and only gig at Vince's sister's wedding reception. We knew all of 6 songs. Greg was a great guy and very talented. He is gone way too soon.