Rodney Lars Peterson, 86, of St. George, Utah, was released from his earthly mission on June 18, 2026. Rod had been bravely and patiently enduring the effects of Alzheimer's Disease for many years.

Born March 17, 1940 in Salina, Utah to Irene Christensen and George Blair Peterson, Rod loved growing up in Salina across the street from Grandpa and Grandma and near all his aunts, uncles and cousins. He learned to love fishing, hunting and working with his family. The Petersons later moved to Buena Park, California, where Rod graduated from Fullerton High School in 1958. He purchased his beloved Martin guitar the year previous and taught himself to play the songs of Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two. He won many talent contests and was invited to perform on the popular Town Hall Party radio broadcast the same night that Cash himself also performed.

He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was assigned to the Canada, Western Provinces mission. He lived and taught the gospel in Regina, Saskatchewan and Taber and Raymond, Alberta, among other locations. His mission president, recognizing his musical talent, asked him to send home for his guitar, allowing Rod to incorporate his music into his ministry. He briefly served as companion to Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a youth conference in Banff, Alberta.

While attending Brigham Young University, Rod met the love of his life over a garbage can behind the "Pink Palace" apartments in Provo, Utah. He and RoEen Walker were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on February 2, 1967. They would go on to raise three children: Lance, Dustin and Jodi.

Rod graduated from BYU and soon started a sales career in the mobile home and RV industry. In 1976 he founded his own RV dealership, Travel Village, in Boise, Idaho. Thanks to his disciplined business skills and perfect integrity, Travel Village weathered the economic recession of the late '70s and early '80s. By 1982, Travel Village remained the only RV dealership between Salt Lake City and Spokane. Rod opened another Travel Village dealership in Salt Lake City the following year.

In the summertime Rod would leave the dealership for two weeks to take his family on motorhome trips to the mountains of Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming, and to the Pacific coast.

Rod served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was regularly invited to play guitar and sing at ward and stake activities in both Oregon, Idaho and Utah. He performed favorite songs from Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, Tom T. Hall, Merle Haggard, and others.

In 2014 Rod and RoEen served together in the Portland Oregon Mission. They lived and taught the gospel in Estacada, twenty miles from Portland at the foot of Mt. Hood. They made many lifelong friends during their time there.

That year Rod's family and friends began noticing symptoms of Alzheimer’s that would eventually take his life.

Rod was brother to Kelly, Janet, Karen and Debbie. Rod's parents and his sisters Janet and Karen preceded him in death.

Rod will be remembered for his generous and faithful approach to life. He is survived by his wife, RoEen; his children: Lance (Cyndi) Peterson, Dustin (Heide) Peterson, and Jodi Christensen; his siblings, Kelly Peterson and Debbie Law; his grandchildren: Natalie, Megan, Brad, Katie, Amanda, Kapri, Ryann, Taygen, Gigi, Phoebe, Libby, and Easton; and his great-grandchildren: August and Hudson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Bridle Gate Ward Chapel, 4345 South Medallion Drive, Washington, Utah. Interment will follow in the Washington City Cemetery located at 300 Park View Drive.