James Richard “J.R.” Peters was born March 26, 1925 in Shawnee, OK to Ed and Florence Nightingale “Gail” Cook Peters. He passed from this life on April 28, 2018 in his home in Earlsboro, OK surround by his loving family.
J.R. graduated from Shawnee High School in 1943. He became a journeyman plumber at the age of 17. J.R. married Freda Ballou on March 18, 1945 in the First Assembly of God Church in Shawnee and they were married for 73 years. J.R. was a member of First Assembly of God Church which later became Cornerstone Assembly and held offices of Sunday School Superintendent and church trustee. He was also a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 344. J.R. and his wife owned and operated J.R. Peters Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning as well as Thunderbird Mobile Home Village and several other rental properties.
J.R. and Freda moved to their farm north of Earlsboro in 2004. They enjoyed having many get-togethers for friends and family on the farm.
J.R. was preceded in death by his beloved wife Freda, his parents Ed & Gail Peters, his brothers Claud, Carl, Doyle Bill, Bob, & George Peters, his sister Maurine Berry and an infant sister. Survivors include sons James Richard “Jim” Peters and wife Carolyn of Shawnee, Rev. David H. Peters and wife Regina of Earlsboro, daughter Deborah McClendon and husband Mike of Shawnee, 8 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson, his sister Corine Chrz and husband Bill of Perry, brother-in-law Charley Ballou and wife Brenda of Tecumseh, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at Cornerstone Assembly, 11th & Elm in Shawnee on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 10:00am with internment at Resthaven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pottawatomie County Historical Museum. The family’s unending gratitude goes to the staff of Angelic Family Hospice for the care and support they provided.
