Judge Donald Wayne Peters, 76, former Municipal Judge and former Mayor of Bridge City, departed to his Heavenly home on May 28, 2015, at his home in Bridge City.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Bridge City. Officiating will be Reverend Bob Boone, Reverend Lynn Ashcraft, Robert Evans, and Butch Thurman. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.
Visitation will be from 5:00p.m.-8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Bridge City.
Judge Peters was a native of Pollock, Louisiana and had lived in Bridge City since 1961. After graduating from Linville High School in Linville, Louisiana he attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana. He served in the U.S. Army for 6 years and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 17 years. He was an active member and had served as Deacon of First Baptist Church in Bridge City for 45 years. After being employed at Bridgestone/Firestone Plant in Orange he retired in 2000. While employed at Firestone he was a member of O.C.A.W. Local 4-836, serving as Workmen’s Committee Chairman for 2 years. He was a member of Bridge City Masonic Lodge #1345 and was a member of the American Legion. He had worked for many years for Claybar Funeral Home as a Funeral Service Associate. He was a coach and umpire in Bridge City Little League 21 years and was a former member of the Sabine Neches Association of Baseball and Basketball Officials.
Active in civic affairs, he had served on the Board of Trustees of the Bridge City Library. He served for 5 years on the Bridge City Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 years on the City Council of Bridge City and served one term as Mayor of Bridge City. While serving as Mayor of Bridge City, he had the honor of being asked to give the invocation before the Senate of the State of Texas. He served on the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, holding the office of Treasurer. He served as a member of the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award Panel. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and had served, as Director and Ambassador, and was chosen as Ambassador of the Year for the year 2001. Judge Peters had served as Municipal Judge of Bridge City for 19 years. He resigned January 1 of this year due to illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend William Isom and Ruth Leola Peters; brothers, C. J. Peters and Ardis Peters; sisters, Glenda Osborne, Maxine Simpson Edgington, and Shirley Swayze, and Anita Cole; and his sister-in-law, Gwen Peters.
Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patsy Evans Peters of Bridge City; daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Don McLeod of Fairfield; daughter and son-in-law, Tammi and James Fisette of Bridge City; three grandchildren, Candace (Candi) Cannon of Bridge City, Jeremy McLeod and wife, Chelsea of Tyler, Jaymi Longron and husband, Travis of Bedias; three great-grandchildren, Gentry Malynn Longron, Charles Michael Longron, and Jhett Dixon McLeod; brothers, Delwyn Peters and wife, Edna of Chatham, Louisiana and Billy Ray Peters and wife, Billie Jo of Jonesboro, Louisiana; brother-in-law, Bobby Evans and wife, Kay of Rosenberg; brother-in-law, Mike Swayze of Monroe, Louisiana; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends .
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva (Odyssey) Hospice at 8050 Eastex Freeway, Suite 1230 Beaumont, TX 77708.
We would like to thank Dr. Cox and Dr. Holland for caring for Don. We would also like to say a special thanks to Carol Campbell, RN as well as Carolyn, and Brandy with Gentiva (Odyssey) Hospice for caring for and praying for Don during his illness. We appreciate the staff and Doctors at Gentiva (Odyssey) Hospice.
Condolences
Claybar Funeral Home
May 30, 2015
Claybar Funeral Homes created a Tribute Video in memory of Judge Donald Wayne Peters
Linda Koonce
May 30, 2015
Patsy, I'm so sorry to learn of Don's passing. May Gods grace be more than sufficient to see you and your family through this sad, sad time, I pray that Don's soul rests in Prease with our Lord, and may light Perpetual shine upon him, Sincerely Linda Parker Koonce
Anonymous
May 30, 2015
Lavender Reflections Spray was purchased for the family of Judge Donald Wayne Peters.
Anita Lake
May 30, 2015
Judge Peters worked with my Mom at Firestone. He assisted with many relatives and friends' funerals and was a great comfort. When services were in Bridge City, he would tell me it was against the law to smoke cigarettes in the parking lot. I would tell him "Judge, just go ahead and let me pay for the fine three times and get it over with right now!" He knew how to lighten the moment and always tended to the families as if they were his own. Rest in Peace Judge Peters. Prayers and good thoughts to the family. Anita Lindsey Lake
Ken Hollingsworth
May 30, 2015
As a funeral director in the Beaumont location, it was always a pleasure to have Don Peters come over to assist on services, visitations or help to go out of town. He was as kind a person as could be possible; always ready to help whatever it may be. His attentiveness and compassion for our families who had lost loved ones was extraordinary. The world will be a lesser place without Don in it; however, his memory will stay alive in the hearts of those with whom he met. Rest Well, Don Peters. Rest well.
Anonymous
May 29, 2015
Sentiments of Serenity Spray was purchased for the family of Judge Donald Wayne Peters.
Rev. Marv Howland
May 29, 2015
Patsy and Children, Arlene and I share in your loss and join you spiritually in your grieving. He was a member of our American Legion Post 250 in Bridge City, and we also served with him at Claybar Funeral Home for a couple of years.. Don was like a brother to us in so many ways. He was red, white and blue American; so proud of his service in both the Army and Navy. He was a man of God Country and God is well pleased with him. We can't think of a man we would rather be with, in life - or death, than Senior Chief Don. Our hearts ache, but we know Don is at home with our Lord, and that gives us some comfort. We look forward to being with him again, when it's our time to cross that river Jordan. May God bless and comfort all of you in his wonderful, loving family. Rev. Marv and Arlene Howland