NASBP was saddened to learn of the passing of John Fulkerson and Courtney Peterson. Please see the notices below. 

John Datus Fulkerson
August 16, 1938 – October 31, 2022

It is with great sadness that NASBP announces that NASBP activist John “Johnny” Datus Fulkerson, 84, of Dallas, Texas, passed away October 31, 2022. He was a principal with NASBP member McQuery, Henry, Bowles & Troy (MHBT) of Dallas (acquired in 2015 by Marsh & McLennan Agency).

Steve Nelson, EVP and Senior Director, Surety Claims, at NASBP affiliate Markel Insurance Company and SureTec Insurance Company, had known Johnny for at least 40 years. Nelson said, “Johnny was a gentleman, a good friend to all who knew him, an accomplished bond professional, and a peacemaker. I can think of many times when controversy arose in the local bond or construction industry that Johnny was the moderating force and peacemaker.”

Donnie Doan, Director of Surety of the SW Region of MHBT, said, “Johnny brought me to Dallas 25 years ago to join MHBT. He really was a one-of-a-kind individual who never had a bad word for anybody, and there wasn’t a single person who didn’t like Johnny Fulkerson. He was an amazing human being and will be greatly missed.”

John Ward, Partner of Acrisure, LLC dba Ward & Moore Insurance Services, said, “It’s not cliché to say Johnny was a true icon of the surety industry. He conducted himself in a manner that exemplified the best qualities of our profession and inspired the rest of us to do the same.”

Chuck Schmidt, retired CFO of The Faulkner Group in Austin, Texas, said, “I first met Johnny in 1981 and continued that relationship both in business and on a personal level for over 40 years. I counted Johnny as one of my closest friends and feel fortunate to have known and learned from him. His contagious smile and positive attitude will be missed.”

Johnny graduated from W.H. Adamson High School in 1956 and North Texas State College (UNT) in 1960. He served eight years in the Texas Air National Guard, after which he began his surety career. He worked at Engram-Fulkerson Insurance Agency, Don Houseman Insurance, Marsh & McClennan Agency, and finally at McQuery and Henry (which became McQuery, Henry, Bowles & Troy in 1994) where he was a Principal serving on the Board of Directors.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Myrtle Fulkerson; his wife, Shaaron Salyer Fulkerson of Dallas; and his grandson, Hart “Seis” Green VI. He is survived by his children: Gary Fulkerson (Lisa) of Bend, Oregon; Maggie Giust of San Antonio; his step-children: Amye Johnson (Jeff) of Boerne; Ken Salyer, Jr. (Tricia) of Dallas; and Leigh Green (Hart) of Beaumont; grandchildren: Miles Fulkerson, Max Fulkerson, Chance Fulkerson, Madeline Pieper, Gwendolyn Giust, Tatum Johnson, Rawls Johnson, Forrest Johnson, Ken Salyer Ill (Elisha), Ashley Salyer Greene (Jimmy), Thomas Salyer, Everett Green and Adelle Green; and cousins: Duane and Stonelle Kring of Mt. Selman, Texas.

Services were held in November at the Highland Park United Methodist Church of Dallas, followed by a reception at the Royal Oaks Country Club of Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Salesmanship Club of Dallas or T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center.

View the obituary and consider posting a message of sympathy and condolences for Johnny’s family.

The NASBP Leadership and staff extend their deepest condolences to Johnny’s family and friends.

Courtney Thomas Peterson
November 3, 1933 – October 28, 2022

NASBP was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of NASBP activist Courtney Thomas Peterson, 88, on October 28, 2022. Courtney was CEO of NASBP member HRH of Denver, Colorado, when he retired in 2003 after working 36 years with the company.

Don Appleby, Surety Director and Shareholder of the Construction Team of NASBP member Holmes Murphy & Associates, said, “Courtney was a legendary bond producer from the 1970s through to 2003 at one of Denver’s original bond shops, The Talbert Corporation (bought by HRH in the 1990s). Our Holmes Murphy office remains the legacy operation of both the Talbert Company and the Linden Company from that era. We still bond and insure accounts he put on the books!”

Mark Sweigart, CPA, Client Executive, Surety/Stakeholder, Construction Team of NASBP member Holmes Murphy, said, “I knew Courtney by reputation alone for most of my young career but had many opportunities to spend time with him after joining HRH. He was always generous with his time and willing to help me in any way he could. We are proud and blessed to work with many of Courtney’s clients and carry on the Talbert/HRH legacy that he helped to build. He will be missed!”

Courtney was born in Sandwich, Illinois, and was the second of six children born to Arthur and Marguerite Peterson. His childhood was spent in Newark, Illinois. Courtney attended his first year of college at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. After Courtney’s family moved to Colorado Springs in 1952, Courtney enlisted in the Air Force and completed his basic training in Texas before being sent to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Later, Courtney obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business from the University of Northern Colorado.

After graduating, he went to work for Traveler’s Insurance in Denver. A few years later, he went to work for the Talbert Corporation where he went on to become the President and CEO of the company. Among Courtney’s colleagues at Talbert were NASBP Past Presidents Bill Clark and Charlie Fleck. The company was purchased by HRH, a nationwide organization, in 1996; but Courtney stayed on, retaining his title of CEO until he retired in December of 2003.

Courtney married Dorothy Jean Morgan on July 1, 1967, and had three children. Courtney and Jean divorced in 1997. Courtney then married Barbara Catherine Lowell in 2002. 

Courtney is survived by his ex-wife, Jean; his children: Heather (Xiren Kenny); Eric Peterson (Kena) and their children Karis, Zoey, and Reid Kirk Peterson (Heidi) and their children Brody and Cole; his wife, Barbara; two stepsons: Tim Lowell (Cindi), their children Quincy, Finn, Conner, and Caprice; and Levi Lowell (Chloe); his two brothers: Cameron Peterson (Mary Lou) and Ronald Peterson; his two sisters: Jeri Jo (Jim) Carstairs and Judy Ashton; and several nieces and nephews.

Courtney was preceded by in death by one sister, Linda, and his parents, Arthur and Marguerite Peterson.

View the obituary and consider posting a memory and condolences to Courtney’s family.

Services were held in November. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an organization of your choice or one of the following:

• Saint Phillips in the Field, 391 N. Perry Park Road, Sedalia, CO
• Bear Canon Cemetery, 435 CO-105, Sedalia, CO 
• Sunland Village Golf Club, 725 South Rochester, Mesa, AZ

The NASBP Leadership and staff extend their deepest condolences to Courtney’s family and friends.