Amy Peterson Obituary

Mr. Amy Charles Peterson, Jr., 95, of Millry, AL went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 4, 2025 at his residence in Millry, AL. He was born on Tuesday, June 17, 1930 in State Line, MS to Amma Charles Peterson, Sr. and Mary Lee Peterson. He was one of ten children.
He left school and joined the United States Army in September 1946 and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal in December 1946. He was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Before starting jump school at Fort Benning, GA, he received two weeks of Army Glider Training. This involved two flights in a military glider and earned him the Glider Qualified Badge. His first parachute jump was made with a parachute he packed himself. He had 60 parachute jumps when he was awarded the Master Parachute Badge. In winter of 1947-1948, his unit went to upper New York State for winter training. There he parachuted into snow, learned to snow ski and use snowshoes, plus other survival skills. In January 1950, as a member of a covert team, he went to Won Ju, South Korea (later the United States Army renamed it "K-2") to teach the Southern Korean Army how to use our US equipment and arms. This was before the war between North and South Korea began in May 1950. A cease fire was called in June 1950 but it only lasted 5 days and they started fighting again. The United States did not get involved until 1952. He returned to Fort Bragg for reassignment and was selected to help with drafting the Field Manual for what was called "Heavy Drop" at the time. It is now called "Aerial Delivery" and that is where you push equipment and supplies out of the back of an airplane while in flight.
He retired as Master Sergeant with 20 years of active service and 3 years National Guard. He earned an Electrical Engineering degree at Indiana University using the GI Bill. His first job was in Indianapolis, IN as a Production Line Supervisor at RCA (Radio Corp. of America) building tuners for television sets. Later he became Plant Manager at View All Television Company, building parts and equipment for the cable-vision industry in Anniston, AL.
Later he was hired as Manufacturing Manager at Magic Chef Microwave Division, building microwave ovens, in Anniston, AL. He was involved in the assembly and testing of the first microwave ovens Magic Chef ever sold.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Lee Peterson; parents, Amma Charles Peterson, Sr and Mary Lee Peterson McMillan; son, Robert Eugene Peterson; brother, Claude Peterson; sisters, Elizabeth Crager, Eva Miller, Jackie McGuire, Lucille Dean, and Betty Jo Hutchinson.
He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Moore (Ben); son, Raymond Kirkland; grandchildren, Jennifer E. Perry (Chris), Samuel B. Moore, Robert Peterson II (Sabrina), Amie Charles Peterson III, Leslie Peterson, Brent Kirkland (Heather), Shea Whigham (Ty); great grandchildren, Lily Ann Peterson, Langston Kirkland, Haisley Whigham, Peyton Peterson, Caden Peterson, Tanner Peterson, Jayke Whigham.
Visitation for Mr. Peterson will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Flat Branch Church, Millry, AL. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Flat Branch Church in Millry, AL with Rev. Jim Koen and Rev. Junior Brewer officiating. Interment will be in Flat Branch Cemetery in Millry, AL. Pallbearers are Robert Peterson, Peyton Peterson, Charlie Peterson, Sam Moore, Ty Whigham, Brent Kirkland.