Jake Lester Petersen

Jake Petersen, 76, passed away on April 16, 2026, at his home in Clay springs, Arizona. He was born on January 2, 1950, in Snowflake, Arizona, and grew up in Clay springs, Arizona.
As the firstborn son in a family of six children, he always tried his best to be of service to his parents, in any capacity needed throughout their entire lives.

From 1969-1971, Jake served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northwestern States Mission, which included the states of Washington, Oregon, and the panhandle of Idaho. He often shared how much he loved his time on his mission, especially on P-days when he was able to help the loggers by working on the logs as they floated them down the river.

Jake dedicated many years to serving his community as a volunteer firefighter from 1977-2019 at the Claysprings-Pinedale Fire Station. Throughout his life, he worked on rock crushers, drove loaders, cement trucks, among many other types of equipment. At home on the farm, he loved plowing and planting the fields and taking care of the animals. He took great pride in his work and believed any job was to be done well. He was an uncle who was, and always will be, completely adored and respected by his nieces and nephews. His kindness to all was constant.

Jake lived a life of service hard work, and quiet dedication to his community and loved ones. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Marie, and his sisters, Della and Priscilla.

He is survived by sisters, Ethel and Ruth, and brother, Frank; 8 nephews, 7 nieces, 22 great-nephews, and 33 great nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon at the Clay Springs Arizona Chapel on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with a viewing 1-hour prior.