R.L . Peters passes away Feb. 3

R.L. Peters passed away in a Rockwell hospital Feb. 3, 2007. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Salado Church of Christ. Services will be conducted by son-in-laws Dwight Parker, of Grandfield, OK, and Clyde Smith, of Rockwall, nephew Tim Brown, of Salado, ministers Joe Keyes, of Salado, and Gene Greer, of Heidenheimer, and daughter Linda Smith, of Rockwall.

A private interment will be conducted at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

R.L. was the oldest of four children born to Irl and Roxy (Graham) Peters on March 31, 1921 in Moody. He grew up in Lorenzo and Rogers, where he graduated high school.

He served in the U.S. Naval Air Force from 1942-1950. He later received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

He worked in Air Force Logistics for 20 years, re-tiring in 982. He was honored by President Lyndon Johnson with Presidential Citation in 1964 for out-standing job performance. He served as a Bell County Commissioner and as an election official. He received the first Pioneer Award given by the Bell County Republican Party.

He was an active member of the Church of Christ, and served as a deacon in three different communities, and as an elder. He was involved in Christian education, serving as a Trustee of Magic Valley Christian College in Albion, ID.R.L. served as a member of the Bell County Historical Commission; Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas and Sons of Confederate Veterans.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eva, three daughters, Annette Parker of Grandfield, OK, Dorothy Peters, of Mesquite, and Linda Smith, of Rockwall; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sisters MaryBelle Brown, of Salado, and Lou Nelle Merritt of St. Catherins, Ontario.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Billie, and a nephew, Dr. Stephen Merritt.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Peters-Merritt Memorial Scholarship Fund for Research of Tropical Diseases at Texas A&M Foundation, 401 Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840.