A Homegoing Celebration for Deacon Ronald Jake Peterson of Tampa, Florida who transitioned on Sunday, March 8, 2020 will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 3005 E Ellicott St, Tampa, FL 33610, Eulogy by Minister Bruce Bryant, Associate Minister. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.


Ronald was born in Tampa, Florida to the late Aretha Peterson and Jake Wiggins on May 25, 1954. He attended school in Tampa, Fl including Middleton High School before graduating from Leto High School, Class of 1972. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida State University (FSU) in 1976. He was also a graduate of the University of Phoenix's Master of Business Administration program. He was studying for his Master's in Accounting to continue teaching in his semi-retirement.


Deacon Peterson served as the Director of Corporate Compliance and Internal Audit at Tampa General Hospital. He had more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry and another 14 years of public accounting and industry experience. He previously worked in public accounting with two of the big four accounting firms and a local accounting firm, where he held the position of Audit Manager. He was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Fellow of the Health Care Financial Management Association (FHFMA), Certified in Healthcare Compliance and Certified in Healthcare Privacy.


Deacon Peterson was a co-founder of the FSU Minority Business Students Association, where he served as a mentor. In 2016, he was presented the Outstanding Alumni Award from the FSU Black Alumni Association. He continued to be an active participant in the community. He served as Board Chair for the Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation and the Conn Foundation. He was a very active member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, and Food Pantry Coordinator. His other community activities included past President and Secretary of the Midtown Kiwanis Club of Tampa, Coordinator of Midtown Kiwanis Club's Terrific Kids Program, and member of Greater Tampa United Way Site Committee.


Deacon Peterson was formerly a Board member of the Enterprise Bank of Tampa; Board member and Treasurer of Tampa Crossroads, Inc.; Board member of The Divine Providence Food Bank, Inc.; member of the University of South Florida President's Minority Advisory Committee; and President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc..


Ronald made his transition surrounded by his adoring family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gerald Peterson. He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife, Nell Peterson; his adult children, Jason Peterson, Dr. Jessica Peterson, Jake Peterson, and Justin Peterson; his siblings, Harriett Coley, Pastor Carolyn Riggins, Oveda Carswell, Cynthia Peterson, and Rodney Peterson (Sharon) and so many extended family and loving friends.


Deacon Peterson continued to give unselfishly of himself but always made time for what he believed to be most important, family and church.


The visitation will be held on Friday March 13, 2020 from 5-7pm at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 3005 E Ellicott St, Tampa, FL 33610.


In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to support prostate cancer research: Prostate Cancer Foundation.


Link:

https://www.pcf.org/


Visitation
New Hope M.B. Church
Friday, March 13, 2020
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
3005 E. Ellicott St
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
New Hope M.B. Church
Saturday, March 14, 2020
10:00 AM
3005 E. Ellicott St
Tampa, FL 33610