Grant Goodwin Peterson, Sr.

Grant Goodwin Peterson, Sr., 85 of BelAir, Maryland passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2022 at his home.

Grant was the youngest child of the late Vance Peterson and Florence Honora (Goodwin) Peterson.  He was born in Parkville, Maryland on September 13, 1936. 

Grant is survived by a loving family, who adored him, including his daughter, Pamela Elaine (Peterson) Deaver and husband Brian James Deaver, Sr., his son, Grant Goodwin Peterson, Jr. and wife Rachel Marie (Kerins) Peterson, his daughter Christine Sandra (Peterson) Edwards, and his ex-wife Audrey Myrtle (Orndorff) Peterson.  Grant was so very proud of his seven grandchildren, who include Cherish Pamela (Deaver) Smith, Brian James Deaver II, and wife Alexandra, Benjamin Grant Peterson Deaver, John Samuel Edwards and wife Leanne, Luke Andrew Edwards and wife Faith, Grant Gregory Peterson, and Shannon Marie Peterson.  Grant also leaves behind his beloved great-granddaughter, Solari Ryze Smith. 

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Georgia Honora (Peterson) Alderton and Nancy Maud (Peterson) Fritze, and his longtime companion Connie Miller. 

Grant enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954 and served in the 64th Fighter Interceptor Squadron out of Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska.  Grant was the RADAR navigator of a Northrup F-89 Interceptor patrolling the Bering Straights during the Cold War.  His tour of duty in Alaska, which was not yet a U.S. State, lasted over two years. 

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Grant joined the Baltimore County Police Department on May 10, 1958.  Over his distinguished career he served in the Towson, Cockeysville, Parkville, and Essex Precincts, rising to the rank of Sergeant, and gaining the trust and respect of his peers, subordinates, leaders, and the public he faithfully served.  Retiring from Baltimore County in 1982, he embarked on a second career in law enforcement, helping to start and lead the Maryland Mass Transit Administration’s brand-new Police Department.  Promoted to Lieutenant, he formed and led the new department’s Investigative Unit, implementing advanced practices in background checks for new employees, and leading internal investigations.  He served in this role for 17 years until his retirement in 1999, after a total of 41 years in law enforcement.

Grant was the ultimate family man.  “Dad” to his children, “Pete” to his old friends, “Poppy” to his grand-children and great-granddaughter, and “Poppy Pete” to so many of his new friends, he was always there for his family, no matter what.  He could always be counted on to help out with a move, or be there for a birthday party, or attend a ball game, or talk through an important issue on the telephone, or go for a bike ride, make a positive comment on the group chat, or take a walk in a park, or head out together on a road trip, or go for a boat ride, or sit in his front room for a nice chat, or give important advice, or enjoy a holiday gathering, or drop everything at a moment’s notice to help with anything, or play with the little ones.  He thoroughly enjoyed every minute with his family, and the feeling was mutual.

Grant had been an avid boater, owning several power boats, and taking the family on many memorable boat outings on the Chesapeake Bay.  He was a passionate motorcyclist and took many cross-country motorcycle trips during his retirement with his friends and Connie on his 1999 Harley Davidson.  He was also very skilled at home improvement and design and undertook many significant and challenging renovations and projects over the years.  An avid golfer, he played regularly with his friends and with his children and grandchildren.  Grant was also passionate about his health, and over the years set a great example of eating well, working out, jogging, and as he got older by still walking almost every day.

Grant was always strong, positive, cheerful, supportive, and nurturing.  No one could ever ask for a more loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He was the best.  He was totally involved in his family’s lives until the day he died, and he will be missed tremendously. 

Family and friends will honor and celebrate Grant’s wonderful life at the Evans Life Celebration Home at 8800 Harford Road on Saturday April 9, 2022 from 10am to 12pm.  A funeral service will be held immediately afterwards at 12pm pm, with interment following at the Moreland Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family would greatly appreciate you taking a moment to write a simple comment on the online condolences Tribute Wall at www.evansfuneralchapel.com, Grant G Peterson Sr.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grant Goodwin Peterson, Sr., please visit our floral store.