John C. Peterson

John C. Peterson was born in Topeka, Kansas, on April 15, 1948, the only son of Cecil and Helen Peterson. He attended Randolph Grade School, Boswell Jr High and was a proud graduate of Topeka High School. He was President of the Student Council and active in debate and golf. He won state debate, placing 3rd in the National American Legion Oratory, was elected Governor of Boys State and attended Boys Nation. John received a degree in political science from Stanford University where he was also active in debate. He was selected top orator at Stanford and received the Joffree award for outstanding debater between Stanford and Cal-Berkeley. In 1974, he received a JD from Washburn School of Law. John was elected to the Kansas Legislature at age 22 where he served two terms. During that time, he chaired the House Public Health and Welfare Committee and was one of the youngest committee chairpersons. He ran for 2nd District Congress in 1974, in which he won the primary and lost the general to sitting Congresswoman Martha Keys. After the loss, he began the practice of law. He practiced for 25 years with Jan Hamilton and Bob Keeshan but his personal practice grew primarily in the government relations area. In 2000, he established Capitol Strategies, LLC, which exclusively worked for associations and companies before the Kansas Legislature. He retired from being CEO in 2021 but remained active with the company. He married Debra Mahoney in 1980, they divorced in 1990. He married Michelle Liester in 1993, she survives as does son, Vinnie Murphy (Melissa); three grandchildren; and stepsister Sandra Hughes of Dallas, Texas. Predeceasing him were his father Cecil “Pete” Peterson (2003), mother Helen Lyon Peterson (1967), his stepmother Marvel Bowlus Peterson (2009), and grandchildren Sophia and Noah Murphy. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, served as Chair of the Shawnee County Heart Association, was a former Chair of the Topeka Country Club Board and was Co-President of the Diversified Investment Club. He and Michelle enjoyed their summer home at Council Grove Lake and traveling to all parts of the globe, visiting over 50 countries. He continued his interest in golf, attending eight British Senior Opens, shooting his age on occasion, and generally completing 100+ rounds of golf a year. John was a fixture in the Kansas Statehouse for over 50 years. A few years ago, he had an idea of placing Kansas artwork in the Capitol committee rooms. A fund has been set up to honor John’s vision and wish to see art displayed on the walls of the Statehouse, a place dear to his heart. Memorial contributions may be made to ArtsConnect at the request of John’s family and friends, so those gifts may be used to purchase works of Kansas artists for the State Capitol. You may contribute to the fund at ArtsConnect online https://artstopeka.org/petersonfund or contributions may be mailed to 909 N. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66608, please write “Peterson Memorial” in the memo line. A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Topeka Country Club, 2700 SW Buchanan Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611. Condolences may be sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

John C. Peterson

April 15, 1948 - January 8, 2025