Chuck James Peterson

Charles "Chuck" James Peterson, 69, of Vicksburg, Michigan, passed away on May 14, 2024 at home with his loving family, after a long battle with chronic illnesses.

Chuck was born on April 5, 1955 as the first child of Charles and Carol Peterson in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Chuck attended Comstock Schools. He started working for Simmons Ford of Vicksburg the summer before his senior year. After Chuck graduated from Comstock High School in 1973 he continued working at Simmons Ford in the body shop, then as a mechanic for many years. Chuck was a jack of all trades. He needed something new so after 18 years working on cars and trucks, and adding on to both of his homes, he began working construction with Robert Henry Corp. for 15 years and Miller Davis for 6 years until his retirement in 2012.

In 1981 Chuck met Debra Maher at a party. Chuck and Deb married in 1987 and they welcomed their daughter, Danielle in 1992. Deeply in love and inseparable, they would actively seek out adventures and looked forward to a long and happy life together.

Chuck loved history and was a voracious reader, as a teen he was caught reading the dictionary when he finished his last available book on several occasions. His early days living in Comstock were filled with outdoor days running or riding through the countryside, playing in an abandoned brick pile, breaking arms, and building and protecting, with a hammer if necessary, a tree house in the big tree on the back fence line. Later in life he enjoyed adventuring on his motorcycle with his wife and daughter. Chuck was always down for an adventure, unless it was to Boyd's Bears.

As a favorite hobby, you would find him working on something, often his tractor or a friend or family member's car, in his workshop in the garage or caring for the several acres around the house.

Chuck will be remembered as the epitome of dedication and strength-with a little pinch of stubbornness for good measure. Despite facing numerous medical challenges over the past few years, he never let it get in the way of stopping him from being a supportive husband, father, brother or friend. He was truly a no-bull.... kind of guy that would readily drop everything to give the (Big Dog) shirt off his back to someone in need. Although intimidating in appearance, he was just a great big teddy bear. He was a wealth of both useful and useless knowledge with a penchant for telling stories in the most seriously funny manner.

Chuck was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Ethel Herder, Charles and Myrtle Peterson, and his parents Charles and Carol Peterson and the family dog Denali, who are waiting for him at the Door to Heaven.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 36 years, Debra Maher Peterson, his daughter and son-in-law Danielle and Marshall Henschel and his siblings, Karen (Peterson) Millikan, Kathleen Peterson, and William (Deb) Peterson, along with nieces, nephews, many close friends who were like family to him, and his grand-dog Sasha.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Main Street Pub, 208 E Prairie St, Vicksburg, MI 49097, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. A private committal service will be held at Vicksburg Cemetery on a later date.

Everyone who knew Chuck felt his big heart and giving nature, he will truly be missed.The family would like to thank all of our family and friends for their support and prayers, especially those who spent time with Chuck prior to his passing and made him feel very loved. Chuck was larger than life, his shoes cannot be filled. May he rest in peace.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Chuck's guestbook and/or share a memory with his family.

The Peterson family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697