James ""Jim"" Peters

Jim Peters, the former District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District - Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties, died on February 19, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 62. Jim was known as a champion for justice and widely respected for his honesty, integrity, and compassion. Jim began his 30-year tenure with the 18th Judicial District in 1976 as a Deputy District Attorney. He rose to Chief Deputy District Attorney before being elected to the District Attorney's office in 1997. He was reelected in 2001 and served until 2005. Over his career, Jim prosecuted over ten thousand criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor offenses to felonies and juvenile cases. He is most famous for successfully prosecuting the Chuck E. Cheese murders in Aurora. After leaving the District Attorney's office, Jim served as the Administrative Law Hearing Officer for the Colorado Parole Board from 2006-2014, continuing his commitment to give back to the community. Jim learned from an early age the value of education, hard work, and a commitment to excellence. Jim attended Regis Jesuit High School where he excelled scholastically, served as co-president of the student council, and was named the 1969 Regis High Raider Man of the Year for excellence in sports (basketball). Jim attended Marquette University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1973 and received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University Of Colorado in 1976. Jim was an active community leader. His involvement in the community ranged from service as an Explorer Scout leader to an assistant coach at the YMCA. He was a proud member of the Arapahoe County Bar Association and the Colorado Access to Justice Commission. Most recently, Jim served on the Board of Directors for Sky Cliff Center and the Excelsior Youth Center. Jim loved the adventure of life and seized the day fearlessly. He enjoyed riding the raging rapids, skiing the sensational slopes, and hiking the handsome hills. He was an exceptional and avid athlete who never found a sport he didn't enjoy. Jim made every day count and gave it everything he had. Friends were an important and integral part of Jim's life. He made friends easily and kept them for life, always interested in their experiences, beliefs, and feelings. He believed in finding the best in people, sharing insights, and was always available with empathy and advice. Jim recognized the humor in life by never taking himself too seriously. He was the first to laugh at himself and the first to enjoy the irony and comical aspects of a situation. His friends knew this when they awarded him a tennis racket after an annual golf tournament. His most proud accomplishment was his son, Jeffrey, who is a reflection of his own life. Jeffrey lives by the words of wisdom his father gave him - ""to have fun and give back to others."" Jim is survived by his best friend and wife of 28 years, Sandra, son Jeffrey, mother Leona Peters, sister Cheryl (Brad) Thompson, brother Robert (Patty) Peters, niece Meghan (Chris) Gallo, and nephew Jonathan (Tiffany) Callahan Peters. Preceded in death by his father, John C. Peters. Viewing will be held on Thursday, February 27th from 5pm – 8pm at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 28th at 11:30 am at Saint Thomas More Catholic Parish, 8035 S. Quebec St. with reception following. Interment at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial. Memorials may be made to Regis Jesuit High School, 6400 S Lewiston Way, Aurora, CO 80016, or Excelsior Youth Center, 15001 E Oxford Ave, Aurora, CO 80014. Please share your memories of Jim and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.