Mr. Michael Kain Peterson

Michael Kain Peterson was born June 6,1958 in Hayti, Missouri to Ida Mae Burns Caldwell and Fred Lee Peterson. He passed away September 5, 2022, after a lengthy illness. Big Mike, Uncle Mike, Pete, or Malcolm, a name used only by his closest church friends (who knew the real reason), attended Saginaw High where he played basketball and graduated Class of 1976. He played one year of basketball for Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, and worked for Dow Chemical (Midland) and Saginaw Manufacturing (Delphi) before moving to Los Angeles, California to be closer to his mother, Ida Mae, and to look for new opportunities. Soon after moving, he proposed to Vyethel Kemp, the love of his life, and they were married November 26, 1983. Big Mike started his thirty-three-year career at UPS the same year their son, Michael Peterson II, was born in 1985, and that’s when he began the role he was born to play: DAD. “The man with the million-dollar smile” was a great father, friend, and teammate, always wanting to hang out with his son. He enjoyed playing basketball at the local recreation centers, and he found his church home at People’s Independent Church of Christ. There he served as a Trustee and gave a helpful hand doing what was needed, including the annual Bar-B-Q and Fish Fry, the Tuesday food giveaway, setting up for meetings and gatherings, and especially helping with the parking lot for special events and large programs, a self-chosen duty where his services will be missed. Big Mike was a die-hard LA Clippers fan. Mike brought joy to others with his charismatic style, and those that knew him will cherish his laugh and smile forever. Big Mike is survived by his loving wife, Vyethel Peterson; son Michael (Kelsey) Peterson II; stepdaughter Carla D. Clayton; grandchildren Michael Kain Peterson III and Minnie Peterson; step-grandchildren Dominque Clayton and Candice Clayton; great-granddaughter Emery Valentine; sister Vivian Jordan; brothers Lorenzo Caldwell, Jr. and Deon (Katrina) Caldwell; sisters-in-law Barbara Kemp Lauria, Linda Kemp Robinson, and Teresa Chambers; brothers-in-law Ludmond/Jody Kemp, Nathaniel (Cheryl) Kemp, and Edward/E.J. Kemp; aunt Geraldine Riley; uncles Dan (Etta) Burns, Sr. and Leon (Dorothy) Burns; and a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins. He left many special relatives and friends, including but not limited to: Henry Doan, Anthony (Shelia) Stephenson, Rudy & Anna Alday & family, Guy & Kathie Owens & family, Tony Burns, Tony Stevenson, Vincent (Nadia) Thrash, Sam & Judy Cooper, Sherrilynn Henry, Josie Paige, Cheryl Stephenson, Curtis Parham, Mark & Pam Davis, Larry Parham, Willie (Diane) Bond, all of Vye’s Red Hat Sisters, Class of ’76 (including Ed Green, Billy Ray Ware, Ricky Flowers, Valerie Nash, Michael Chester, Debra Bishop, Billie Cooms, & Delana Conner), The Family of People's Independent Church of Christ, and The Family of Agape Church of Los Angeles. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Ida Caldwell and Fred Peterson; sister Thelma Cook; brother Fred Peterson; sister-in-law Blanchia Kemp; and Charles Coles, former coach at Saginaw High School. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Victorious Believers Ministries COGIC; 624 S. Outer Drive, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Supt. Christopher Pryor, Host Pastor. Pastor Theodore Watson will be officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Avenue. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. To veiw funeral service of Mr. Peterson go to: https://youtu.be/6rlW5MNiYCM

Mr. Michael Kain Peterson

June 6, 1958 - September 5, 2022