James Lynn Peterson

James Lynn Peterson of Gainesville, Georgia passed away at home on Friday, December 23, at the age of 74.

James was born and raised in northern Utah where he grew up in the Mormon faith. A noted expert in the diamond cutting tool industry, he began his career with Christiansen Diamond Products in Salt Lake. Mr. Peterson moved to Gainesville in 1977 to be the operation manager for Norton diamond tool manufacturing plant in Flowery Branch, Georgia and retired in 1997 as General Manager of Norton Construction Products worldwide.

After retirement James returned to the love of his youth-- fly fishing. And he became an expert in that field as well. With his passion reignited by the lush trout streams of North Georgia, James eventually began spending nearly every summer in the bigger, colder waters of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. He delighted in introducing friends and family to every deep hole, wash-around and brown bear hangout in that vast region.

James was also an avid sports fan and especially loved to cheer on his alma mater North Carolina Tar Heels and the Utah Jazz.

James Lynn Peterson was preceded in death by his mother Effie Faye Zimmerman Keith, father William Lynn Peterson, sister Gala Faye Thorsen, and son Kory James Peterson.

He is survived by his wife Lawana Ladd Peterson, daughter-in-law Donna (Paul) Peterson-Policy, stepson Jesse (Crystal) Peck, brother William Peterson, sister Rosalyn Peterson Brown, nephew Gene Thorsen, and grandchildren Kali (Brandon) Williams, Ethan Peck, Annabelle Peck, Emelia Peck and great-grandson Braxton Williams.

The family will hold a memorial service on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at the Memorial Park North Chapel (Riverside Dr., Gainesville GA). Visitation is at 1:00 pm and the service will be at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in honor of James L. Peterson to Trout Unlimited.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com