• Date Of Birth: May 24, 1935
  • Date Of Death: August 3, 2014
  • State: Montana

Ernest Clyde Peters, Sr. passed away on August 3, 2014.

“Ernie” was born May 24, 1935, the oldest of twin boys. He grew up in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High in 1953. During his high school years, he worked at various grocery stores and then at Kress’s dime store and Albrecht Furniture Store. In 1955, his mother asked him to join the Montana Air National Guard, “to keep an eye on his brother” who had joined couple of years earlier. After his marriage he started work at the “Guard” as a fireman. He moved to the sheet metal shop and then retired in 1991 as an aircraft inspection specialist in the NDI Lab with the rank of Master Sergeant.

He met Jean Tyler from Big Sandy on a blind date and in 1959 they were married. He and Jean have been members in the Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s for over 50 years, each attaining the highest offices for the State of Montana. Ernie was also an officer in the Sovereign Grand Lodge. He was instrumental in getting volunteers from the Guard to help with the Special Olympics Summer Games. Later, the Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s also started volunteering at various Special Olympics events. Ernie and Jean were awarded “Volunteers of the Year” from the Special Olympics several years ago. He was instrumental in obtaining and maintaining the Centennial Flag at Overlook Park. He was a member of “Operation Patriotism,” making about 50 flag presentations every year and leading parades. Operation Patriotism is an impressive group that focuses on the flag of the United States, telling of its origin, history, and development from the early days of the nations; hence his nickname, “Mr. Flag.”

His interests included fishing, woodworking, softball, camping, hunting, and bowling.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert “Bud” Peters and Frances “Rea” (Beatty) Peters, twin brother Edward, and his infant brother, Raymond.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jean Tyler Peters; daughters, Wendy (Dana) Minster and Rebecca “Becki” (Ken) Hengel; sons, Ernest “Skip” Peters Jr. and Mike (Bonnie) Streeter; grandchildren, Tiffany, Josh, Melissa, Kati, Lane, Brandon, and Geoff; great grandchildren, Logan and Lucas.

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