Don Harold Peterson, 83, of Horner passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at his residence with his loving family by his side. He was born in Horner, WV on August 16, 1937 to the late Ancil Peterson and Nell (Taylor) Peterson. Don was married to his loving wife of 62 years Mida (Bailey) Peterson on June 1, 1958, who survives.
Forever cherishing the memories of Don are one son, Ernie Arnold and wife Lisa; two grandchildren: Kelsea Arnold and fiancée Trent Butcher and Kylea Arnold; one great grandchild, Madlyn Butcher; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by two sisters: Doris Harper and Alice Carr.
Don was a graduate of Weston High School class of 1955 where he played high school football as a fullback and punter for the team. After high school, Don attended West Virginia University for 2 years before returning home to work on the farm. He served in the Army Reserves for 6 years. Don loved to watch the West Virginia Mountaineer football team and had season tickets and attended games for 30 years. He was a member of the Stone Coal United Methodist Church and served in several leadership positions over the years.
Don was the owner and operator of Rocking P Angus Farm in Horner, WV where they held their 50th Production Sale in November of 2019. He was a member of the American Angus and West Virginia Angus Associations, and he served as the secretary of the West Virginia Angus Association for 20 years. Don attended many National meetings as a Delegate from West Virginia. Don worked with the West Virginia Beef Expo and served as Angus Sale Manager for over 20 years. He sent bulls to feed test programs in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana and had the top selling bull at the first Wardensville Bull Test Sale. Don had served as past President of the Lewis/Upshur and West Virginia Cattleman’s Associations. He was a member of the Lewis County Farm Bureau as well. Don was inducted into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. Don loved to watch his grandchildren show cattle and was always ready to talk Angus cattle. Don was a farmer by heart and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Family and friends will be received at Hardman Family Funeral Home 730 N. Main Avenue Weston, WV on Wednesday, April 28 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 29 at 11 a.m. from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Bob King officiating. Interment will follow services at the Miller Cemetery in Horner, WV. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Don may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and privilege to serve the family of Don Harold Peterson.
Submitted by Nancy A. Jackson
Don and Mida Peterson
West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame
Don and Mida Peterson were enshrined into the Hall of Fame as a team because their significant contributions to West Virginia agriculture are the result of their combined efforts. The Petersons raise registered Angus cattle on their Rocking P Farm in Lewis and Upshur Counties. Not only do they have a strong partnership in the farm, but when one has a leadership role in a project or organization, the other lends full support. As a youth, Don participated in national FFA and 4-H livestock judging contests. He became a life member of the American Angus Association two years before he graduated from Weston High School. After studying agriculture at West Virginia University for two years, he returned to the family farm in Horner. He married Mida in 1958, following her graduation from Glenville State College. Through performance tests and sales in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana, their Angus bulls have been sold throughout the United States. By selling the offspring of their outstanding herd sires and sharing their bulls’ genetics through artificial insemination, the Petersons have made substantial contributions to the improvement of Angus cattle in the state and nation. Together, Don and Mida helped organize the W.Va. Beef Expo, and they continue to manage the Angus Show and Sale. They have given many 4-H members the opportunity to care for and show cattle owned by their farm. Don has served as president of the W.Va. Association of Agriculture Industries, Lewis County and Upshur County Livestock Associations, W.Va. Cattlemen’s Association and W.Va. Angus Association (for which he also served as secretary for 20 years). After teaching health and physical education at Buckhannon-Upshur High School for 30 years, Mida retired in 1989 to devote full time to their farming enterprise. An 11-year 4-H member, she grew up on a livestock farm in Linn in western Lewis County. During her 42 years of membership in the Community Educational Outreach Service (the former Extension Homemakers), Mida held many local, county and state offices and is the current state council president.