Col. John J. Peeler, USMC, (Ret.) passed away on November 21, 2013 at the age of 86. He was born in San Antonio on April 22, 1927 to parents, Jefferson Davis Peeler and Marguerite Jefferson (Guinn) Peeler. He graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1944. John attended Texas A & M University from 1948 to 1949 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from George Washington University in 1956. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served aboard the USS New York during WWII. He was commissioned in 1951 and served in Korea as a Platoon Commander and Infantry Company Commander where he was twice awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Later command assignments included two Rifle Companies, a Reconnaissance Company on Okinawa, commanded Infantry Battalions twice during combat in Vietnam and finally an Infantry Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He also served in various staff positions including the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D. C. and USCINCEUR Staff in Germany. His last year in the Marine Corps was as Commanding Officer of Camp Garcia in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Numerous other personal decorations were awarded which included the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Good Conduct medal, National Defense Medal w/1 Star, WW II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal w/2 Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Silver Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm and six additional unit citations. Following retirement from the Marine Corps after 30 plus years of service, he became a financial planner with IDS/American Express (Ameriprise) for 22 years before retiring in 1998. John was a member of the First Marine Division Association, The Texas Chapter of the Third Marine Division Association, Retired Officer’s Association, Purple Heart Association, Marine Corps League and the Brackenridge Eagles of the Forties.
He is survived by his three daughters, Linda Ball and husband Lt. Col. Edward J. (Rocky) Ball III, USMC, (Ret.), Patricia Fleming and husband Tom, Cindy Littlefield and husband Bruce. He is also survived by grandchildren Edward J. (Ted) Ball IV, Rebecca Salazar and husband Gene Scott (Sal), Michael Ball and wife Lyndsay, Shannah Watson and husband Randy Walker, Emily Krueger and husband Travis, Katie Hetzer and husband Darrell and Megan Sekula. Great grandchildren are Dallas Watson, Elizabeth Salazer, Michael Ball, Zachary Krueger, Darrell Hetzer, Faith Krueger, Lily Salazar and Derek Hetzer. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marjorie Jordahl Peeler, son John J. Peeler, Jr., sister Jeanne Peeler Moore and son-in-law Anthony J. (Tony) Sekula.
John lived a fulfilling and meaningful life, being active with his two great loves: his family and the Brotherhood of the Marine Corps. He was also very proud of his Texas heritage and took pride in preserving the land of his two south Texas ranches for future generations. Some of his fondest memories were of hunting with family, especially his cousin Johnny Morris and his interactions with his Marines, which he never forgot. In recent years, the term “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful) was never better demonstrated then by former Marine, Mike Sohn, a true friend to the end.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2013 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 12:00pm at Sunset Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with with full Marine Corp honors.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC), 7979 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78229, (210) 450-5552 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 (855) 448-3997.
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