Eugene Murrell Peeples III

Eugene M. Peeples, III was born January 18, 1930, in Corsicana, Texas to Mattisue and Eugene M. Peeples, Jr. He was fervently prayed home into the loving arms of his Lord surrounded by his two sons, their wives and six grandchildren on Wednesday, December 6, 2017.

Gene grew up in Houston, attending River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School. Growing up in Houston his main interests were his friends, scouting and his church, the Church of St. John the Divine, where he was a member of its earliest Sunday school classes in 1939, served as acolyte and received his Eagle Scout award in 1944 as a member in Troop 55.

The last two years of high school and first year of college he attended New Mexico Military Institute, an experience he cherished throughout his lifetime. The study of geology took him to Louisiana State University where he received bachelors and masters degrees in geology, the two being separated by two years' service as an officer in the U. S. Army, Armor, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He cheered for the LSU Tigers enthusiastically and kept up with his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers over his lifetime.

In 1952 Gene married Patricia Kerlin, his college sweetheart and best friend. After graduate studies at LSU, Gene joined Humble Oil & Refining Company as an exploration geologist, working in Wichita Falls, Abilene, Sweetwater, Amarillo and Kingsville. Their first child, Clay, was born during graduate school in Baton Rouge and Gene IV was born in Abilene. After so many moves across west and south Texas with two young sons, Gene joined an independent oil company in Corpus Christi in 1965, where they settled in for 17 years.

While in Corpus Christi, Gene was active in civic affairs, serving in Leadership Corpus Christi, on the Planning and Zoning Commission for five years, one year as chairman, and in the Chamber of Commerce as vice president of economic development.

One more relocation in 1982 would take him and Patricia back to his childhood roots in Houston to join a Canadian energy company as southern US exploration manager. Turning from active participation in oil & gas exploration in 1986, Gene actively pursued real estate investment and brokerage for the remainder of his business career.

The move to Houston coincided with the birth of their first grandchild, and from that time forward, "Nana" and "Big Gene" loved on their grandchildren, took an active interest in all their lives, including becoming fixtures in the stands, on the sidelines and in the audience for athletic events and performances.

Gene's church was always a major part of his life and he served it well, being on vestries in Kingsville, Corpus Christi and twice at St. John the Divine after his return to Houston. He derived great joy from his involvement in career change ministries, Faith Alive, Men’s Life, a close-knit Covenant Group and various seniors programs. His faith was his bedrock in all circumstances, and served as his compass throughout life.

The family extends their thanks to the staff at Treemont Healthcare for their efforts to bring Gene back to health after he suffered a broken leg in May 2017, and to Linda Parsons, trusted aid and loyal friend to both Gene and Patricia.

Gene was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Robert I. Peeples, and his wife of 63 years, Patricia, whom he heroically cared for over her final years. The family remaining to carry on his legacy includes his two sons, Clay (Kay) Peeples and Gene (Suzy) Peeples, grandchildren Clayton, Paige, William (Ellen), Andrew, Preston (Ada) and Adair. He loved, and is loved by, his nieces and nephews on both the Peeples and Kerlin side, as well.

Friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the family on Monday, December 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be held in joyful celebration of Gene's life at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 12, in the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., where the Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Richnow is to officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances, Memorial Contributions in Gene's name may be directed to the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX 77019; or, to the charity of one's choice.