Bobby Lee Peters

A lifelong Shawnee resident, Bob graduated from Shawnee High in 1948 where, thanks to sisters, was introduced to his future wife, JoAnn Taylor, at a baseball game. They remained best friends throughout their sixty-one years of marriage and were inseparable until JoAnn’s death last October.

Bob learned the plumbing trade from his Father, Ed Peters, a long-time owner of a successful Shawnee plumbing business that Bob and twin brother Bill later purchased. Here Bob came to know many, many, Shawnee residents, making it rare for Bob to take trips to town without running into at least one person he knew. Bob was always happiest in the midst of a crowd of people exchanging stories and how-do-you-dos – as he did last year while celebrating his eightieth birthday among many well-wishers at South Rock Creek Baptist Church where he was a long-time member.

Bob was both a gracious host and guest. He opened his home to many family gatherings and rarely turned down an invitation to visit. Because of his great love of people, Bob held a deep-seated need to serve others in whatever way he could to make their lives easier, often at his own expense. If someone had a plumbing emergency, they knew Bob would come if called; and that he would do so with a smile and a story, rather than bearing grudges and complaints. In later years, Bob served as a plumbing instructor at CTSA and still later, worked for Sac and Fox Housing Authority before retiring in 1992.

While Bob will be missed by many, he will be especially missed by son Michael and wife Judy of Shawnee and Son James Patrick of San Antonio, Texas; Grandchildren Charity, Mike, Courtney, Roy, Andy, Jacob, and Eric, and great-grandchildren Tyler, Colton, Kinsey, Kailynn, and Grace; brother J.R. Peters and wife Freda, sister Corine Chrz and husband Bill, sister Maurine Berry, and sister-in-law Helen Peters, brother-in-law Bob Taylor and wife Georgia; sister-in-law Wanda Taylor, sister-in-law Luetta White and husband Larry as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Just Bob

He wouldn’t want all this attention

That was not Bob’s way -

He would just quietly sit aside,

While we spoke, sang, and prayed.

From his humble beginning here,

He worked hard and made a life;

Loving his family so dearly,

And now Bob rejoins his wife.

Let it be said he was a good man,

A man who never complained;

Simple, trustworthy and loved,

So just Bob would be his name.

Bob’s name was written in Heaven,

So look up to where he has gone;

You see, Bob left only the temporary

Truly, Bob Peters went Home!

-- Chaplain Larry Sparks