Lloyd Ernest PETERSON (FAMOUS)
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Additional PETERSON Surnames in DECATUR (DECATUR) Cemetery
PETERSON, Leota LorraynePETERSON, Billy RayPETERSON, Anita B.PETERSON, Charles RaymondPETERSON, Eddie LoydPETERSON, Eddie Loyd (Closeup)PETERSON, James C.PETERSON, Linnie M.PETERSON, John W.PETERSON, E. LillianPETERSON, George ElmerPETERSON, Harriett Ellen "Hattie"PETERSON, Dorothy MaePETERSON, EarlPETERSON, Nora Frances "Fran" Additional PETERSON Surnames in BENTON County
PETERSON, A DPETERSON, Agnes S.PETERSON, Artie AnnPETERSON, Audrey LillianPETERSON, BabyPETERSON, Beulah E.PETERSON, Bud VernPETERSON, Carl J.PETERSON, Connie MPETERSON, David LeroyPETERSON, Elmer J.PETERSON, Eld A.D.PETERSON, EulahPETERSON, Gertrude E.PETERSON, Gloria AnnPETERSON, Jeff D.PETERSON, Leroy A.PETERSON, M. ValeriePETERSON, Marise RubyPETERSON, Neva SuePETERSON, Patrica LeeannPETERSON, Pearl M.PETERSON, Vera Gladys
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Submitted: 12/17/09 • Approved: 4/30/11 • Last Updated: 8/13/12 • R270248-G0-S3
Lloyd Ernest Peterson
October 3, 1912-October 2, 2007
CEO and Founder Peterson Farms
Lloyd Ernest Peterson was born in Decatur, Benton County, Arkansas to George Elmer & Mattie Ellen Peterson. Growing up he was always a very busy boy working any job that was available. Milking cows, picking apples and selling them, delivering over 100 papers daily from three different paper companies, and what ever else was offered. At 29 he took on the job of managing the Farmer's Cooperative and was in that position into the late 30's. This is most likely when the "chicken bug" captivated him.
Lloyd founded Peterson Farms in 1939, a pioneer company in the chicken industry in Northwest Arkansas. In 1948 beginning in his garage, Lloyd set out on a quest to "build a better Chicken". With help from some of the top minds in the field of genetics they pioneered the Peterson Male breeding cockerel In 1990 the Peterson Male Chicken commanded 73% of the domestic market and 34% of the international market for male breeders in the industry. He was instrumental in helping establish J. B. Hunt at Lowell, Arkansas, and Simmons Industries in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He, also, spent time and money to help preserve the Mallard Duck and the Quail. He owned a great deal of land in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri which was used to help save these birds. This was part of his contribution to help save wild life.
Lloyd did not build the business alone. There were thousands that contributed to his success. His wife Leota Lorrayne Wilmoth Peterson whom he married January 12, 1945, was by his side from the beginning and through out their life together. Lorrayne’s father, E D :“Jack “Wilmoth played a major role in the broiler Division. His two son’s Jackie and Gene worked long hours to help build that part of the business.
Lloyd and Lorrayne had one daughter, Debbie and two grandchildren, Brooke and Blake. Debbie always had a great interest in the business. Her son, Blake is the current CEO of the business.
He received many honors in his career but never was comfortable in talking about those honors. He remained a private man all his life.
Among those honors, Lloyd was named the Arkansas Poultry Federation "Man of the Year" in 1956-57, and received the President's "E" Certificate for Exports in 1977, the presentation occurring in the Rose Garden at the White House. He was inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame in 1989, and in 1992, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Poultry and Food Distributors Association. He was also inducted into the American Poultry Society Hall of Fame in 2001 for his work on the Peterson Male cockerel. He was sited by the National Wildlife Federation for his work to help save the Mallard Duck.
Lloyd was laid to rest at the Decatur Cemetery, alongside his wife.
SOURCES:
Obituary, The Morning News, Thursday, October 4, 2007
http://www.petersonfarms.com/Tribute.pdf
Contributed on 12/17/09 by wfields55
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Record #: 270248