Anthony Peter Fuller left the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota on January 31, 2023 and is not expected to return. But, before he left, he made his mark on his family, his friends, his colleagues, his adversaries, and his community.

Peter was born in Aberdeen, SD on February 17, 1943 to Harry Thad (Had) and Alice Louise Losleben Fuller. He joined his brother, Thad Leonard Fuller. Alice and the two boys lived near Had's family in Aberdeen while Had served in the Navy during World War II.  After his father's service, the family moved to Mitchell SD where his father practice law. Peter had a charmed childhood filled with hunting, sports, time on the lake, and wonderful friends.  His athletic endeavors were under the carful eye of his mother, a former PE teacher. If he missed a block in a high school football game, he was sure to hear about it from her. This direction imprinted the character trait of always doing your job, and do it well, because people are depending on you to do it.  Not doing your job, was never an option. During his childhood, his sparkling grin found its place. It is still unknown where his more intimidating "Fuller Look" came from, but it was likely high school or college. His children acquired this look and perfected it much earlier.

He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1961, attended Iowa State for a year and a quarter, where he met additional lifelong friends. Pete transferred to the University of South Dakota where he graduated in 1965. However, prior to graduation he made the wise decision to toss an engagement ring at the young and beautiful co-ed Jacqualyn Gist.  Lucky for him, and for her, she said yes.  His children and grandchildren are incredibility grateful he tossed that ring and are even more grateful she didn't toss it back. They married in 1964 in Madison, SD.

Following their marriage and graduation they resided in Yankton while Jacque supported the two of them with her teacher's salary while he attended USD School of Law.  In law school Pete met not only colleagues, but lifelong friends. They also welcomed their first son, Brook. He graduated from Law School in 1968, becoming a 4 ^th generation Fuller lawyer in the State of South Dakota following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather Thad Leonard, and great-grandfather Howard Garrett. Peter began his 50+ year career as an attorney in Chamberlain, SD at a branch of his father's firm. In Chamberlain, they welcomed their second son Jason.

Following his father's death in 1970, Peter practiced in Mitchell for a short time. The family moved to Lead in 1971 when Peter joined the legal department at Homestake Mining Company (HMC) with KC Kellar and Robert Driscoll. A third son, Thad, joined the family followed by a daughter Alecia. While working for HMC, Peter also had a private practice in Lead, SD and was joined by partners Robert Amundson and Jack Delaney. Amundson, Fuller, and Delaney was a general practice law firm in Lead, SD.  Other partners through his legal career included Roger Tellinghuisen, Brad Gordon, Jerome Eckrich, and Michelle Percy.  In 2003, Peter was appointed as a 7 ^th Circuit Judge by William Janklow. He served in that capacity for 8 years.

In March of 1978, Pete was in an airplane crash. The photo of the crash was a reminder that we are invincible, and with his passing we realize you just can't be invincible forever.

During his time in Lead, Pete served on the school board, as legal counsel to many individuals, businesses, and non-profits. He coached his children in sports while they were young with his unique style.  Then he was their greatest supporter during their continued athletic endeavors. He valued education, honesty, and hard work and instilled each of these qualities into his children. His children called him Pete, explained best by his son Thad "you should always greet your friend by his first name." He was lucky enough to call each of his children "friend," and they were lucky enough to do the same.

Pete loved his family, music and musicians, arts and artists, the law and most lawyers, friends, bird hunting, golfing, traveling with Jacque, and intelligent debates with anyone willing to partake. Pete was a true and loyal friend to those lucky enough to call him friend. The world is a better place because of his passion, dedication, work ethic, and quirky sense of humor. He was direct, and always true to who he was. He wasn't afraid to march to his own drummer. Pete was grateful for his life, his friends, his family, and his profession. The feeling was reciprocal. His 1974 orange VW bus with a surfboard on top, will be forever missed by all who had the pleasure to see him drive by with his infectious grin and twinkle in his eye.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thad, his son Justin Thad, and his in-laws John and Sylvia Gist. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jacque, children John-Ernest Brook (Gretchen Middents), Jason Peter (Angela), daughter Alecia Elizabeth Kjerstad (Robert), daughter-in-law Natasha Guilbert Fuller, sister-in-law Joan Fuller, sister and brother-in-law Jerri and Forry Benz. He is also survived five nieces and two nephews, 15 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

A celebration of life will take place from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on July 18, 2023 at Lead Country Club (11208 Ironwood Ln, Lead, SD 57754).

Memorials may be directed to the Lead-Deadwood Community Foundation or the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to benefit the Homestake Opera House.

* This obituary was written, over his objection, by his daughter.