Reed Phillip Peterson

A celebration of life for Reed Phillip Peterson, 81, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 20 at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Reed died July 26, 2022, at LMH Health. He was born Dec. 1, 1940, in Denver, the son of Sonja and Arthur “Pete” Peterson.

Reed graduated in 1965 from the University of Kansas with a degree in business. After years in business — including ownership and management of restaurants — Reed returned to Lawrence as manager of the Lawrence Salvation Army thrift store. Between Reed’s personality and his business acumen, the store flourished during his two decades there.

After retirement, he volunteered at LMH Health, where he worked at least twice a week for 16 years at the hospital’s information desk. He was a member of the LMH auxiliary, and had chaired its finance committee. During his years at LMH, Reed mentored many volunteer future medical students. Reed also was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, where he served on its board.

He and Marylouise M. Tate married Oct. 8, 2016, in Lawrence. With that union, Reed gained a family with whom he enjoyed many, many days of love and laughter. Marylouise joined Reed in his lifelong passion for travel.

Reed had an expansive family of friends, who were beneficiaries of his dry wit and giving spirit — and that smile.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; two stepdaughters, Shamayne Tate and her husband, Gabriel Locke, Lawrence, and Janai Tate and her husband, Daniel DiMezza, Missoula, Montana; his stepson, Theron Tate and his wife, Teryn Tate, of Arvada, Colorado; and five stepgrandchildren, Akaya and Zuri Tate Locke; Otavio and Lorenzo Tate DiMezza; and Xander Tate. Other survivors include his cousin, Scott Peterson, and Scott’s two sons, Austin and Kelly; two sons of Reed’s late cousin Larry Peterson, Elliot and Max; and three honorary daughters, Donna Johnson, Paula Fiorucci and Caroline Trowbridge.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Plymouth Congregational Church or to LMH Health Foundation for the Cancer Center expansion, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th, Lawrence, 66044.

We will always love and miss our Mr. Reed.