Elwyn Gene Peterson

Elwyn Peterson (PawPaw), 68, was called home to be with the Lord on April 24, 2026, peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and children.
A celebration of life service will be held at his home, 3105 W. Dallas Ave. in Artesia, NM, at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2026, where his family and friends will gather to enjoy stories, laughter, and love while honoring the life of this wonderful man.
Elwyn is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Cara Peterson; his children, Joni Moorehead (Husband - Rusty) of Lovington, NM, and Justin Peterson (Wife Jennifer) of Artesia, NM; his siblings, Karen, Diane, Donna, Glenn Peterson (Kami Peterson), Shirley Brander, Richard, Calvin and James Peterson; Grandchildren; Patience, Riley, Trinity and Dusty Moorehead of Lovington, NM, AJ Ferguson, Christopher, Annabelle and Gene Peterson of Artesia, NM, Great-Grandchildren; River Moorehead, Skye and Aspen Reeves-Ferguson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Eternally Grateful for his longtime friends Kelly Delong and Kevin Rogers of Loco Hills, NM and Dorris and Leo Sutton of Cherokee, Texas, Ray and Ruth Chavez of Artesia, NM.
Elwyn was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Joyce Peterson and brother Dennis Peterson.
Elwyn was born on October 8, 1957, in Marinette, Michigan, to Paul and Joyce Peterson. His family moved to Artesia, NM, in the late 1960s. Elwyn served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 1977 and embarked on an overseas journey aboard the U.S.S. Gurke in 1975, assisting in the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. During his service time he had the opportunity to travel around world, visiting China and Japan.
Elwyn made his career working in the oilfield as a lease operator for over 40 years, including owning his own business, Peterson Pumping SVC, LLC From 2013-2020. In his later years, Elwyn enjoyed working at Walmart as a greeter, where he met many wonderful people and made many friends.
Elwyn enjoyed motorcycles in his younger years, from dirt bikes to Harleys, and loved the freedom of the open road. He was a very compassionate man, full of sarcasm, laughs, pranks, and jokes. To know Elwyn was to know his love for his family was far beyond words. His favorite pastime was traveling around the U.S. with his wife, visiting as many casinos as he could as well as spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren enjoying all of their many activities, from barrel racing, football, weightlifting, choir concerts and everything in between, along with tending to his gardens.
Elwyn will be deeply missed, but his honor and legacy will be carried on through the values he instilled in his children and grandchildren, as well as in all those who knew and loved him.
Special Thanks to Enhabit Hospice and especially his nurses Melissa, Cynthia, Ginger and Debra who were truly angelic in assisting in his journey home to the Lord.