Peter, My Rock

Peter Jay Bardeen, long time resident of Fallbrook, California, passed away December 12, 2018, following an intense three month battle with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer. He was 59 years old.

Pete was born September 14, 1959 to Thomas Sheffield and Barbara Margaret Hunt Bardeen in Los Angeles, California. As a native Californian, he grew up in Los Alamitos. He attended elementary, junior high, and high school there. He loved sports, especially baseball, football, and golf. He grew up attending Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Los Alamitos and was an active member. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior during those years.

Pete played catcher on his "Los Al" high school baseball team. He graduated from CSULB with a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. At Long Beach State, Pete met, dated, and married his college sweetheart, Laurel Ann McDonald. They met through the Greek Fraternity Kappa Sigma and Sorority Gamma Phi Beta at college.

Pete was the business owner of Bardeen Insurance Agency in Fallbrook for the past 31 years. He excelled at providing his clients with professional and excellent personal service with a smile for all of their insurance needs, as well as personal counsel, financial advice, and wisdom. He called himself a marriage counselor and family guidance counselor at times.

He has been an active member of The Fallbrook Village Rotary, North County Networking, Fallbrook and Bonsall Chambers of Commerce, Zion Lutheran Church and School, and North Coast Church Fallbrook.

Peter loved coaching and attending his children's baseball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, football, and basketball games. He attended every UCI baseball game that was played while his son Brock was on the team for 5 years. Go Anteaters! Zot Zot!

Pete was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Barbara Bardeen, and his infant daughter Elizabeth Mary Bardeen. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Laurel, son Brock and daughter-in-law June, daughter Kristin and son-in-law Rob, son Jason, grandchildren James, Caleb, Everett, and Cecily, brothers Tom Jr. and Bob, sisters Marien and Carrie, mother-in-law Lois, brother-in-law Bruce, and many adored nieces and nephews. His family brought him great happiness, joy, and fulfillment.

He loved being a Christian man, husband, father, Papi (grandfather), brother, uncle, son, son-in-law, insurance agent, coach, world traveler, adventurer, Chargers sports fan, gardener, hiker, ukulele player, prankster, mischief maker, artist, chef, wise counselor, and friend.

In his spare time, Pete loved to visit his children, garden, read, travel to Italy (and other European countries with guidance from Rick Steves), drink cappuccinos and espressos, eat gelato, hike national parks, plan adventures and vacations, play Minecraft, watch funny Youtube videos, play golf, have bonfires at home, camp or go to the beach, babysit his grandchildren, listen to music of all genres, see live theater and opera at the SD Civic Theater (favorite being Les Miserables), go bike riding at the beach, play the ukulele, drive a Mini Cooper, volunteer his time and talents to many organizations, attend North Coast Church Fallbrook, be in life group, and greet at his church.

Pete was an amazing, gentle, and humble man who was larger than life. He is no longer suffering and is pain free, walking hand in hand with Jesus, his parents, and infant daughter. Pete said thank you for the outpouring of love, the meals provided, the beautiful prayers, visits, cards, flowers, and calls made during his short illness. It is not goodbye, but it is farewell for now, and I'll see you again, soon!

A memorial service to celebrate Pete's life will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019 at North Coast Church Fallbrook, 1375 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 at 10:00 AM, followed by light refreshments and time of fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to North Coast Church Fallbrook, Fallbrook Food Pantry, or Compass Bible Church Tustin.

Please sign the online guestbook at berry-bellandhall.com

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7