Eugene "Gene" Alan Peterson

The family of Eugene Peterson are saddened to announce his passing at the age of 70 on April 17, 2018. Eugene was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and will be missed by his family, friends, coworkers, and all others who knew and loved him.

Eugene, known as Gene to most, was born in 1947 in Brighton, CO, the first son of Hobart and Lucille Peterson. As a child, he moved often with his family, who worked as farmers throughout the American midwest. Eventually, the Peterson family came to live in Altamont, KS, where Eugene began high school and discovered an affinity for working with electronics which would follow him for the rest of his life. This talent for electrical work also afforded the family their first TV, when Eugene repaired a neighbor’s broken television.

In 1965, after graduating high school, Eugene enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served 4 years before being honorably discharged. Afterward, Eugene turned his passion for electrical work into a career in television broadcasting in Corpus Christi, where he met his wife, Rafaela. The two were married and eventually moved to Dallas, TX.

Eugene began work at a local Dallas television station, KDAF and remained with the company for 38 years, until his untimely death. He is fondly remembered by his many co-workers as “Peterson” or “Uncle Gene.” The KDAF television station has renamed the station’s master control center as “The Gene Peterson Hub” and has planted a red oak tree in front of the building in his memory.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Rafaela, his children, Monica Maria Peterson, Maria Elena Peterson, and Michael Vincent Peterson, his beloved granddaughter Brittney Michelle Peterson, and nine grandchildren.

A viewing for Eugene will be conducted at the Hughes Family Tribute Center located at 9700 Webb Chapel Road Dallas, TX 75220 on Sunday, April 22 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. The service will be the following day at noon, after which the funeral procession will transport Eugene to his final resting place at Cavalry Hill Cemetary located at 3235 Lombardy Lane Dallas, TX 75220.