On November 16, 2021, Gregory Eugene Peterson, 64, of Helena, MT passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. Greg was born May 5, 1957, in Helena to Sharon and Gene Peterson. He grew up in the Helena Valley and was part of the very first graduating class of Capital High School in 1975. Following high school, he attended Montana State University, returning to Helena in 1978. His lifelong career in the chemical distribution industry began with Great Western Chemical Company in 1981. In 2001, he purchased GWC, renaming as his own, Chemical Montana Company. Greg was known for his strong work ethic, determination, and sales skills. His daughter Kally joined the Chemical Montana Company, handling his accounting for the last 14 years – having her a part of his business was something he was very proud of.
Over the years, business relationships turned into the most genuine friendships. Greg had the unique ability to develop friendships with anyone who walked into his shop. He truly believed in and embodied everything that customer service should be. His greatest accomplishment in life, however, was his three beloved children, Jenny, Trevor, and Kally.
At a very early age, Greg developed a deep passion for the great outdoors. He spent every opportunity he had hunting, fishing, and camping. In his late 20s, he worked with his dad to build the family’s treasured cabin in the Pintler Mountains. This cabin became the base for many adventures with family and friends. His countless hunting and fishing excursions took him around the world – with some of the more notable trips including Argentina, Africa, Mexico, and Canada. He was always thrilled to have his closest friends and family accompany him. Greg shared a great passion for the pursuit of waterfowl. In 2008, Greg and his son Trevor set a goal to harvest all 41 species of waterfowl in North America. This journey took them everywhere from the east coast to Alaska and Texas. Unfortunately, they were just shy of reaching this goal together.
His family and friends will remember him for his quick wit, sense of humor, phenomenal cooking skills and love for life. Greg is preceded in death by his father Gene Peterson, grandparents Cecil and Hazel Peterson, and Harvey and Alta McCormick, his brother-in-law John Paradis, and his beloved hunting dog Rio. He is survived by his son Trevor Peterson (Amy), his daughters Jenny Garza (Eric Blewett), and Kally Tripp (Cody), mother Sharon Peterson, his grandchildren Shayla Garza, Sophia Blewett, Macayla and Maddox Peterson, and Haylee and Tyler Tripp, sisters Cory Bartsch (Don), and Cindy Paradis (Dan Gard), aunts and uncles Charles and Elaine Peterson, and Charles and Georgia Ferrell, nieces and nephews Rian, Kady and Mike Bartsch, and Dylan, Patric, and Matthew Paradis, along numerous other cousins and friends.
One of Greg’s other fondest passions was taking his grandchildren Haylee and Tyler shopping every year to purchase items for the Helena Food Share Kid Pack Program. He always told the kids he never wanted them to see one of their classmates hungry. To honor this tradition, you are invited to bring one of the following to his service for donation: granola bars, juice boxes, oatmeal packs, and fruit cups.
Services to celebrate Greg’s life will take place on Saturday, December 4th, at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson Wilke Funeral home with reception to follow. Services will also be live streamed online for those who are not able to attend.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday December 4, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday December 4, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday December 4, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday December 4, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Don Bartsch says
I will miss you Greg, we had great times at the cabin. RIP my friend.
Clint Anderson says
Beefy: you harassed me every chance you got for 60 years… I sure will miss that.
Lance Zanto says
Beefy, many great memories. You will be missed buddy. God speed my friend!
Scott St. Clair says
I met Greg while working for the City of East Helena in recent past years. What a great guy, very accommodating to do business with. I always sought him out at the schools and conferences just to hear his wisdom of the day. Greg will be missed by many he served in his chemical business. Rest in Peace my friend Scott St. Clair
Debbie (Card) Morrison says
Dearest Kally and family;
I’m so sorry to learn of your dad’s passing. I hadn’t seen your dad for quite awhile but I will always treasure our adventure attending the Rolling Stones concert in Missoula. I’m so glad we had that opportunity.
My sincerest condolences and may the grace of God help guide and comfort you during this difficult time.
Tiffany Sturdevant says
Jenny, Kally, and Trevor, I am so very sorry for your loss. All my love is with you!
Jerry Nordyke says
So many adventures, so many memories, glad I got to share them with you.
Jerry
Phillip Maurer says
My condolences to Greg’s family. I’m going to miss those long conversations about everything we could think of, and the jokes. Rest in peace my friend.
Jaime Petersdorf says
Jenny, Trevor and Kally, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Thinking of all of you during this very difficult time ❤️
John Sandford says
I don’t remember calling Beefy Greg, maybe when we were in junior high. I’ll always remember his sense of humor, he made me laugh every time I saw him. Our condolences, Beefy was a great guy.
Leslie Popiel says
So very sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tammie Angeloff says
So sad, you taught me so much. I caught so many fish with you. Family always came first, your love for Kally, Jenny, Trevor, and the entire gang was priceless. You remained in my thoughts for all the years. Aww, the Costco trips you sent me on, wow!! All in the love of your family. Ok, three or four carts was a lot; however, the delivery was priceless. I could go on…. RIP me special friend. Thank you for the memories!!!
Darlene Saunders says
My “late husband Bob Saunders” dearly love this man. Bob is going to have to get a larger Boat up there. What a Great Young Man “Bob would say”. Not only was Greg a great business man he was an incredibly dedicated family man. He dearly loved his family.
Don Gillingham says
Always a smile, and a kind word. Greg was a great co-worker and friend. I was shocked to hear of his passing. All of my wife’s relatives came from Helena, mine from Bozeman, my sympathies to his family. Don Gillingham
Clara wilson says
Greg was truly a wonderful neighbor who will be sorely missed by all. My condolences to his entire family.
Bob and Barb Wilson says
Greg was a great guy. Everyone was always laughing and enjoying the conversation when he was in the room. On Fridays a lot of guys would meet up at Chemical Montana for a few beers and talk about their exciting lives. It was a shock to us when we heard this news. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Sandi Benson says
Kally and family, cherish and hold close all these wonderful memories. May you also have peace and understanding in the days ahead. “God Bless”
Julie Allen says
Greg was an amazing person! He was so full of life and vital, always positive and ready to pat others on the back or lend a hand. I loved working with Greg during our conference and the training classes he did for me throughout the year. I shall cherish his memory and always treasure the fact that I got to know him!
All my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Maura Gruber says
So sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. He was always so kind and and had a wonderful sense of humor. I’m so glad he made it to my Dads retirement party in August and the whole gang was together for some good laughs and great pictures. My sincerest condolences to you all.
Larriann Murphy says
To all Greg’s family,
I am so sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
steve lantz says
So very sorry for our loss. Greg was a great person and I will miss him.
Curt Stanghill says
So sorry to hear the news of our classmate. He was always smiling wherever you met him. He will be missed by all. Prayers are lifted for all the family.
CONRAD KRADOLFER says
I am so sorry for your loss. Greg was a Great Man and an exceptional Hunting Partner. We had many successful hunting trips over the years and I will miss him every Swan Season.
Jeff Shepard says
Phone rings, I answer and hear that gravelly voice, “Shep doggy dog! It’s Pete!”. I’m gonna miss this old friend of 38 years, one of the funniest & friendliest guys I’ve ever known. His home was always open to friends to stay over and take out on his boat. He always knew the best taxidermists. (I’m still trying to find that photo from 2005 of him on his back deck posing with the hogs we caught on Hauser.) Like his obit says, business associates became lasting friends.
I remember in late 2000 when I was GW mgr of Rocky Mt states, I was told we were going to close Helena and I was asked if I’d ask Pete if he wanted to buy it. He was nervous and a little scared, but he took the challenge, shed the big company restraints and made that new company shine. It was his stellar reputation from managing it for 20 years that was his springboard.
God bless you on your journey, Pete!
Jim and Sally says
We are so very sorry. Greg was a good man. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
steve lantz says
I am so sad. I saw Greg at least once a week and sometimes more. I miss him dearly. He was a great friend. So sorry for your loss.
Amanda Broadwater says
How heartbreaking to lose such a kind, generous man with so much verve and passion for life. My condolences to the family; I hope your fond memories will comfort you during the coming days. He will be dearly missed by all.
V Joyce Bruce and family says
Gordon and Joyce Bruce and Robert J. Lyman want to wish Sharon and family the best of wishes upon the
loss of your son and brother. We have not known him since his lower gradeschool days when we lived so
close on Sieria Road. When I read all of the above best wishes from so many people, I know you all have been
very proud of Greg. It takes a great FAMILY to raise a child such as Greg! Our prayers are with you Sharon and all the rest of your family. Your friend since 1960, Joyce
Joyce Bruce says
seel above
Steve Tylinski says
I’m going to miss that raspy voice over the phone I heard whenever I ordered chemicals for the past 38 years,
You will be missed by all but I know you will continue to carry on.
Doug and Carrie Butler says
We are so sad to hear of Greg’s passing. Our hearts go out to all of the family in Montana. I only have the warmest feeling when I remember times with our family all together. Greg always made everyone laugh and added excitement to our times together. The funniest is the Fourth of July in Reno, Nevada when he got lost. Well we thought he was lost but he was “exploring”. We found him much later sitting at the entrance just waiting for us. The goofy grin on his face while Uncle Gene scolded him was hilarious. Greg will be missed but forever he will be in our hearts. Much love to you all. Doug and Carrie Butler
Laurine Marcinkowski, Ph.D. says
Godspeed, Greg! The world has lost a good soul.
Peggy Laurine Marcinkowski
Ed Wipf. Martinsdale MT says
Greg was the best business person I’ve ever dealt with. Bought my chemical from him many years. I knew something wasn’t right yesterday when I called to order chemical and he didn’t answer the phone. What a shocker. He will be missed.
Rhonda Tylinski says
Greg was one of good guys. My husband and I called him friend. He always had a smile on his face and a hug if you needed one. We’ll meet again in heaven. He will be greatly missed.
Curt Kradolfer says
So Sorry for your loss, our loss! Greg was such a great guy! Had many great adventures with him and Gene. Will miss that but cherish the memories!!
Dale Howell says
Greg brought life to the room. Mixing business with humor. A great combination. A man that made those around him want to be better. My first meeting with him was at the Montana Mining Association. Thank you for showing me everything the town had to offer. Never will forget the Trapshooting. A man that could do it all. To Greg’s family: He touched more lives than you will ever know. I am honored to have known him.