Charles Reed Peterson

Peterson, Charles Reed "Coach" 89 year-old native of Mesa, born August 27, 1926 to Howard C. Peterson and Afton Clark Peterson, passed away of complications related to rheumatoid arthritis on March 30, 2016 at his Mesa home surrounded by his loving family. Reed graduated from Mesa High in l944 and went on to receive his BA and MA in education from Arizona State University. He married Betty Jane McClellan Williams in 1947, with whom he had three children. He and Betty later divorced, and Reed married Melba Catlett Copeland Peterson on November 30, 1978. Reed and Melba enjoyed 37 wonderful years together prior to his death. Reed was active in all four major sports in high school and enlisted in the USAF one month after graduation. While in the Air Force, he was selected for both the AF All-star baseball and softball teams. Before his discharge from the armed services, he toured the Caribbean doing what he loved best: playing ball. He attended Arizona State University on a basketball scholarship for three years, and after receiving his BA and MA from ASU, Reed accepted a teaching/coaching position at Mesa High School where he remained for 37 years. During his tenure at Mesa High, he served as head coach for five different sports, including his final position as Mesa's head football coach. He was inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987; in addition, he was entered into the Mesa Sports Hall of Fame. Reed was an avid outdoorsman and for years wrote the article, "Tribune Trails" for the Mesa Tribune. He also co-produced the television show "Arizona Outdoors." In 1992, he was awarded the Thomas E. McCollough Memorial Award as Conservationist of the Year. As a hunter, he was the fourth person in the state to receive the prodigious Arizona Big Game Award and the third person in Arizona to receive both the Arizona Big Game and the Big Ten awards. Reed was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Howard Dean Peterson Bonnie, Dr. Marion Peterson Bonnie, and granddaughter, Jamie Peterson. Reed is survived by his loving wife, Melba; daughters Nikki Peterson Salt Lake City and Gayle Peterson Mesa. He is also survived by his son, Dr. Lorin Peterson Nancy of Flagstaff currently serving a humanitarian mission in the Congo; stepchildren Leslie Copeland Evans of Mesa and Kirby Copeland Anita of Casa Grande. He leaves behind nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of whom he adored. He is also survived by his sister, Afton Winona Reber Leo of Gilbert and brother, Glenn Peterson Marlene of Ogden, UT, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Reed dearly cared for his family, friends, and his former assistant coaches and players. He was loved deeply in return. Services will be held at the Mesa Interstake Center, 830 East 2nd Ave, Mesa, AZ on Thursday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 6 at Meldrum Mortuary 52 N. McDonald, Mesa from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be a visitation prior to the Thursday services from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Valley for their tender care of Reed during his last days on this earth.