Ferguson Peters, 82, of Vero Beach, died on Jan. 14, 2014.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle; and four children, Elizabeth Ferguson, Frederick Charles, Emilie Irma, Ferguson Edgar; and his four grandchildren, Frederick Charles Peters, John Oscar Peters, Kristin Lynn Peters, and Katherine Gayle Peters.
Peters was raised in Miami Beach, Fla., and attended Duke University before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard where he served as Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal.
Peters received a Bachelor of Education at the University of Miami and was employed as a teacher at the Public School of Wilmette in Illinois before entering the University of Florida where he received his Master’s Degree of Education. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and taught at Gainesville High School.
In 1961, he married Gayle Eugenia Shaw, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. E. Clay Shaw. They settled in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and had four children. He founded Florida Oaks School knowing the importance of a strong elementary school foundation and served as Chairman of the Broward County School Board, realizing the most significant honor a man can receive is to be trusted with establishing the policies that will guide a child’s education.
Peters published numerous educational books and magazines such as Headmaster USA and the book Private School Management along with organizing the Institute of Safe Schools.
He was vice president and director of Plantation Farms, Inc. which is now the City of Plantation and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ft. Lauderdale. He served on the board of Landmark Bank and was a member of the Lauderdale Yacht Club.
In 1984, he moved his family to Vero Beach, Fla. where he continued to serve his community.
Peters founded Indian River Federal Savings Bank and was a partner in the development of the Moorings Real Estate Company and was a shareholder and instrumental in building Redgate Communications. He was a member of the Riomar, Quail Valley and John’s Island Clubs.
A successful business man, Peters shared many of his blessings with others and was a major contributor to the Salvation Army’s Southern Territories where he donated the Gayle and Ferguson Peters Continuing Education Center in Atlanta, Ga.
A certified University of Florida Naturalist and a photographer/videographer, he enjoyed photographing nature and supported the Oslo Riverfront Conservations Area where he and his wife enjoyed spending time in nature study and native plant identification. He and his family summered in Maine where he photographed Acadia National Park and the surrounding area producing many educational videos and nature guides.
A devout Christian and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, he always led by example and lived the words of the Hebrew psalmist,
“This is the Day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Peters was a loving family man with a wise and gentle spirit who led by example. He believed in “giving until it hurts and not allowing what you cannot do stop you from doing what you can do.”
A memorial service will be held on Feb. 1, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ferguson Peters’ name to The Salvation Army, 2655 5th St. SW, Vero Beach.
