Jay A. Peterson, 87, of Indianapolis passed away March 7, 2014. He was born November 12, 1926 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Arthur and Helen (Creegan) Peterson. Jay honorably served his country in the Army Air Force enlisting in 1943 and discharging in 1945. In 1953 he married the love of his life, Lois Freitag. Jay was employed as a car salesman for his father's dealership till "54". He was a flight instructor for Cessna in Des Moines, IA. He was also employed as flight instructor in Bemidji, MN where he also flew the trans-state pipeline and also in Moultrie, GA where he was a flight instructor for the Air Force 1st lieutenant's and cadets. He worked in air traffic control operations for Federal Aviation Agency in Minneapolis, MN and in St. Joe, MD. He worked for Flight Standards in South Bend, IN and was the chief of operations for Federal Aviation Administration in Minneapolis, MN. Jay finally retired in 1988 as chief of operations for 27 years in Indianapolis, IN. Jay's passion, besides his passion and love for his wife, Lois, was to fly. Jay saved up at an early age to by a J-3 Piper Cub Aircraft and at that exact time he knew that was what he wanted to do with his life. While Jay and his wife raised a family, he ventured out on the open road riding his motorcycle. Over the years he had many motorcycles and he meticulously babied each one. His riding years lasted until the age of eighty. After retiring from the Federal Aviation Administration, Jay devoted his life to his family and was a devout steward at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Indianapolis. He wanted to do good and to help everyone as our good Lord would have wanted. Husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather will be forever loved and missed by his loving family. Jay is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Lois (Freitag) Peterson; children, Dave (Kari) Peterson, Cathy (Ed) Williams, MaryKay (Bruce) Baker, Jeannie (Dan) Miele, Beth (Vince) Workman, Thomas Peterson, RuthAnn (Todd) Casselman, Lakasha and granddaughter, Emma and many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 11 from 10 am - 11 am with a Mass at 11 am in St. Christopher Catholic Church, 5301 W. 16th St., Speedway, IN 46224. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: St. Christopher Catholic Church.