TOPEKA, KAN.

James Albert Peters

Aug. 26, 1939 – Aug. 30, 2012

James Albert Peters, 73, passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at his residence in Topeka, Kan. Born on Aug. 26, 1939, in Waukesha, he was raised in Milwaukee and graduated from Washington High School in 1957.

In 1965, he met his wife, Sharon Barbara (Warders) of Blue Rapids, Kan., when he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan. The two were happily married for 46 years.

He was the son of Edith (Strass) and Albert Peters Jr. of Milwaukee. Jim and Sharon lived in Waukesha for more than 30 years, where they raised their family and hosted AFS foreign exchange students. He was a meat cutter for Kohl’s grocery stores. An active member of St. Mathias Episcopal Church in Waukesha and St. Philips in Topeka, he was also an avid bowler and golfer who was a diehard Packers and Brewers fan. Our dad adored animals, cats in particular, and entertained his children’s whims to take in many strays. By his own example, he fostered in us compassion and tolerance. Easy going, he had an incredible sense of humor and was deeply involved in all of our activities. He and our mom shared with us their spirit of adventure and they took many trips together over the years. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Edith; brother, Jack Peters; and sister, Sue Kowal. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon; his father, Albert John Peters Jr. of Milwaukee; his daughters, Jamie Peters of Joshua Tree, Calif., and Nicole Peters of Taos, N.M.; son, Sean Peters of New Berlin; son-in-law, Zishan Shah of New York, N.Y.; his cat, Mi Mi; and countless friends and extended family members. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 3916 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cat Association of Topeka, 1719 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66604.