James A. Peterson

James Arthur Peterson, physician, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in Indianapolis on March 14, 2022 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by family.

Born June 1, 1938 in Elkhart, Indiana, to August and Martha Peterson, Dr. Peterson graduated from Elkhart Central High School in 1956. He attended Hanover College, where he met his future wife, Nancy Vail Gage. They married on their graduation day in Hanover, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School in 1964 and completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI in 1967. After serving in the Army Medical Corps in Fort Rucker, Alabama, he returned to Elkhart in 1970 with his growing family to work as a pediatrician at the Elkhart Clinic. In 1987 he co-founded Bristol Street Pediatric Associates, where he worked as a pediatrician until his retirement in 2008.

Dr. Peterson and his family were members of the First Presbyterian Church, where he and Nancy enjoyed singing in the choir. A beloved member of the community, he cared for thousands of children, was co-chairman of Elkhart County Community Child Protection Team and served on the Child and Parent Services (CAPS) committee. He loved being surrounded by family, camping at the beach and hosting pool parties.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Peterson (Gage) and daughter Elizabeth Peterson-Kaminski (Bill). He is survived by his children Lisa Barnett (Kyle), Steve Peterson and John Peterson, and grandchildren Nathan, Micah and Leila and his sister, Carolyn Pindell.

A Celebration of Life event is scheduled for 1 pm on Saturday, May 7th, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart, 200 East Beardsley Avenue., Elkhart, IN 46514. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart IN 46514 is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made to the Peterson family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CAPS 1000 West Hively Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517 www.capselkhart.org  or to the charity of your choice.