N. Curtis PetersonNewton Curtis Peterson Jr. was a Florida state senator, nurseryman, and registered landscape architect.Early life and educationPeterson was born in Lakeland, Florida. He Graduated Lakeland High School in 1940 and then attended George Washington University and Florida Southern College. He also served in the United States Coast Guard on convoy duty during World War II.CareerPeterson was elected to the Florida Senate in 1972 and was president from 1982 until 1984.DeathHe died July 19, 1996, during an operation on his heart at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.