Laurel James Peterson
Sep 15, 2022
Laurel James Peterson died peacefully on Sept. 15, 2022, at Westchester Trauma Center in New York one week before his 75th birthday. He suffered from a stroke and other complications while he and his wife were visiting their daughter on the East Coast.
Laurel was born on Sept. 22, 1947, in Roseau, Minn., to Leah and Leon Peterson. At age 6, he moved with his family to Anchorage, Alaska, where he spent the next 57 years. Laurel was the youngest of three children and grew up in Spenard while attending elementary, middle and high school. He graduated from West High in 1965, where he served as class president. He was an avid skier, and Boy Scout then Eagle Scout in his youth. He was accepted to Western State Colorado in Gunnison on a ski scholarship. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in June 1969. Upon returning to Anchorage, he worked as a night auditor at the Hotel Captain Cook, then as a junior accountant on the North Slope.
In time he applied and was accepted to Gonzaga Law School in Spokane, Wash. Between the Alaska student loan program, a job at the library and doing research work for a law firm, he was able to pay his tuition and complete three years of law school. He graduated from Gonzaga in May 1973. He passed two bar exams, giving him license to practice in both Washington and Alaska. After a brief job as an intern in Seattle, he returned to Anchorage. His career started as a law clerk, then he was appointed to a magistrate position to serve in Whittier and the District Court in Anchorage. Increasing caseloads and a lack of judges prompted his nomination as acting District Court Judge. In September 1975, at only 28 years old, Laurel was appointed by Governor Jay Hammond and selected by the Alaska Judicial Council to a permanent position on the Alaska District Court in the Third Judicial District.
After serving five years and one month on the bench, Laurel moved into private practice, which proved to be his real calling. For 47 years as a practicing plaintiff's attorney, Laurel's career was truly exceptional. He handled extensive cases involving aviation fatalities, medical malpractice, wrongful deaths and countless other civil lawsuits. He remained a sole practitioner and was well-regarded as a litigator and savvy negotiator in cases involving large settlements. He relished a good but fair trial and was always comfortable in the courtroom. No one enjoyed the practice of law more than Laurel.
In his free time, he savored weekends at the condo in Alyeska with his wife and children, toying with a small collection of high-end cars, and playing golf on summer weekends with friends and family. He and his secretary, Jane Jones, held an annual "Peterson Open" golf tournament for many years each summer culminating at his home on Sand Lake.
In 1984, after a long courtship, Laurel married Polly, the love of his life. Together they had two children, Katie and Leland, both born and raised in Anchorage. They built a wonderful home on Sand Lake where they enjoyed all the thrills and challenges of living in Alaska. The family has long and lasting memories of life on the lake, on the slopes of Alyeska and vacation getaways to sunny climates. Once the kids had grown, Polly and Laurel began spending more time in Southern California, where golf was plentiful. After living as snowbirds for five years they moved permanently to the Palm Springs area. In his retirement, Laurel and Polly traveled extensively, took numerous cruises throughout Europe and enjoyed the retired life on the golf course.
Laurel is survived by his wife, Polly; two children, Leland and Katie; brother, Lee and sister-in-law Linda; niece, Kristina and her family; nephew, Troy and wife Maureen; and numerous cousins living in Minnesota.
There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony on June 23, 2023, at the Petroleum Club in Anchorage.
For further information please contact either Katie Peterson, ktp907@gmail.com; Polly Peterson, pollyp.alaska@gmail.com; or Kristina Peterson, kristina4teach@yahoo.com.
