Terry Peters passed away on Saturday, August 29th, 2026, at home in Fairfield. Friend may leave online condolences
at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Terry was born on July 24, 1951, to Carl James and Betty Jo (Avery) Peters at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital in
Oceanside, CA. He spent his childhood in southern California. He enjoyed playing baseball and riding bikes. After his
parents’ divorce, Terry moved to Fairfield, IA, with his mother and younger sister Polly. Terry graduated from Fairfield
High School in 1970. He spent a few years in Fairfield after graduation before returning to California, settling in
Redding. Terry worked for 25 years at the Simpson Paper Mill in Shasta.
As a young man, Terry pursued many interests. Terry enjoyed riding motorcycles, completing the Barstow to Vegas
adventure ride twice before settling into less demanding hobbies like fly fishing, target shooting, reloading
ammunition, and N-scale trains. Terry learned to fly small aircraft, nearly obtaining his private pilot’s license before
realizing his ambitions exceeded his budget. Terry still enjoyed airplanes and attended many air shows throughout his
life.
For over 20 years, Terry faithfully made the trek to the Utah Salt Flats each August for Bonneville Speed Week. He
served as a course steward for much of that time; his favorite spot was mile marker 5, the beginning of the
deceleration zone, where the parachutes deployed on the world’s fastest vehicles. He last attended in 2018.
After his time at Simpson Paper Mill, he relocated to Cheyenne, WY, to be close to his older brother Tom and beloved
sister-in-law Wanda. A trip brought him back to Fairfield, IA in 2000, where his met the love of his life, Gina Gillaspie-
Brokken. In 2001, Terry moved back to Fairfield to be closer to Gina. He quickly became the stepdad to Gina’s four
girls. He took great pride in the role, treating each of Gina’s children as if they were his own.
In 2002, Terry began a 2nd career as a long-haul truck driver. He was an owner-operator for much of his career,
logging over 2 million miles. He preferred loads that brought him back West, to the beauty of the mountains, desert,
and coastline. On July 27th, 2019, Terry and Gina finally married in a backyard ceremony on the hottest day of the
year, after an 18-year-long engagement.
In his later years, Terry enjoyed drinking coffee, taking afternoon naps, learning about history (indulging in an
occasional conspiracy theory), and spending time with family and friends. Of all the places Terry had been, his favorite
place to be was with his grandchildren: Hoytt and Abel Wilson, Benjamin and Norah Sirdoreus, Lucas Pool, Jameson
and Wendell Diers.
Terry is survived by his wife, Gina Brokken-Peters; his stepdaughters, Jessica (Jim) Sirdoreus, Molly Brokken, Katy
(Cody) Pool; his grandchildren, older brother Ed (Debbie) Peters of Groveland, CA, and nephew David Peters of
Greeley, CO.
Terry is preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom, sister Polly, stepdaughter Amber Wilson, would-be son-in-law
J.D Diers, and beloved niece Andrea Girard.
Friends and family who wish to offer condolences or share memories may send cards to Gina Brokken-Peters at 1105
Liberty Dr, Fairfield, IA 52556. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Terry Peters Memorial.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life for Terry from 1 to 4 PM on Saturday, September 5th, hosted by
Joe and Jo Ann Adam at 2389 Glasgow Rd, Fairfield, IA.
