The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Judge Donald Wayne Peters, 76, former Municipal Judge and former Mayor of Bridge City, departed to his Heavenly home on May 28, at his home in Bridge City.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 31, at First Baptist Church in Bridge City. Officiating will be the Rev. Bob Boone, the Rev. Lynn Ashcraft, Robert Evans, and Butch Thurman. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at First Baptist Church in Bridge City.

Judge Peters was a native of Pollock, La.

and had lived in Bridge City since 1961.

After graduating from Linville High School in Linville, La.

he attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La.

He served in the U.S. Army for six 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 five years on the Bridge City Planning and Zoning Commission, six 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, La and Billy Ray Peters and wife, Billie Jo of Jonesboro, La; brother-in-law, Bobby Evans and wife, Kay of Rosenberg; brother-in-law, Mike Swayze of Monroe, La and 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.