Christopher Joseph Peterson was born on December 1‚ 1988‚ in Ruston‚ Louisiana‚ to Prinston and Janet Peterson. He was welcomed home by Meghann and Heather‚ his two older sisters. With the birth of Christopher‚ our little family of five was complete.

From the fall of 1994 until the spring of 2007‚ Christopher attended school ten miles from his Weston home. During Christopher’s youth‚ he was involved in a number of community programs‚ including church youth group‚ summer reading programs‚ and Adopt an Angel for Christmas.

In 2001‚ influenced by his parents‚ Christopher found his first love‚ the restoration of antique vehicles He was only 13 when he received a 1954 GMC half ton pick-up that was passed down from his paternal great-grandfather. The ’54 GMC may have been his first restoration project‚ but it was not his last. He could be found with his loyal dog‚ Cinnamon‚ by his side working on a vehicle.

Christopher began high school in 2003 at Weston High School. During the next four years he became involved in sports and many extracurricular organizations‚ track and field‚ BETA‚ FCA‚ FBLA‚ and his favorite‚ FFA. He received many local‚ state‚ and federal honors. Christopher graduated as his class valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA.

Christopher attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe‚ where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He graduated with honors in May 2011. He was planning on continuing his education in dentistry.

While still in high school he joined the Ward 4 Fire Department. Christopher received Red Cross certification and was also a certified first responder. When he was old enough‚ he became a blood and plasma donor. When the blood supply in our area was low‚ the Life Share Blood Center had Christopher’s number on speed dial‚ and he was there. The joy he found while helping others made it clear that being a firefighter was his passion and purpose in life.

On September 3‚ 2011‚ Christopher Joseph Peterson passed away while en route to an emergency call. He died while doing what he loved. His passing left a huge hole in the lives of his family‚ friends‚ and community. Christopher will be forever loved and missed.

Christopher was many things to many people. To his friends‚ a confidant. To his classmates‚ a tutor. To his community‚ a volunteer. To his sisters‚ a protector. To his daddy‚ a right-hand man. To his momma‚ a kind‚ loving son. It was said at his funeral that if there was a hole to be filled‚ Christopher filled it. I don’t think a truer statement was ever said. With all my heart‚ I love you baby.