Gary Lee "Pete" Peters

Gary Lee “Pete” Peters, age 75, of Camden, Ohio passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 28, 2025 at his home surrounded by his daughters following a 4-year battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. In true Gary fashion, he pulled an “Irish Goodbye” with his daughters positioned like the mane of a great lion, resting around the head of his bed.  

Gary was born on April 23,1949 in Hamilton, Ohio to WWII veteran and independent backhoe operator, Ernest “Sug” Peters and WWII munitionette and homemaker, Julia E. (Lovely) Peters. 

 He was a lifelong Preble County resident and grew up in Morning Sun. He graduated from Eaton High School in 1967. Gary had a free spirit about him and shortly after graduation he and his close friend Steve Snyder set out on the adventure of a lifetime across the United States to California and into Mexico. At a young age Gary took an interest into playing music, specifically the drums and later bass guitar. He was instrumental in bringing people together to play and during his high school days his band “The Worlocks” participated in several battle of the band competitions. He continued to play in numerous bands throughout the years with the most well-known being the “Georgia Clay Band”. In his later years he was a member of the “Silvertones”. 

He quickly realized that he would be unable to support a family on being a musician alone so he pursued a degree at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelors in Education and later earned his Master’s in Education. He began teaching at Union County High School in Liberty, Indiana in 1975 where he taught Industrial Arts for 30 years. In addition to Industrial Arts, he taught, small engines, yearbook, photography, school newspaper, and driver’s education. Gary was well known for “breaking the rules” and was a true advocate and inspiration to many of his students and fellow teachers. He was very active in the union at both the local and national levels and served as the union president for 6 years. During his tenure as union president, he organized the first teacher union strike in Union County history which led to the union negotiating the doubling of teacher salaries as well as improved benefits.  

Gary had a passion for skilled trades and encouraged his students to pursue these avenues. He was an excellent carpenter and built his home in 1976 in addition to the surrounding structures on his property. He included his students in these building projects and used this opportunity to educate his students further by hiring them to assist with the construction.  

Gary was also a motorcycle and jeep enthusiast. Often traveling to events across the country including the Indianapolis 500 where he was able to drive his CJ-7 around the track. His motorcycle travels led him to Canada, Daytona Beach, the Northeastern states and West Virginia. Gary never missed an opportunity to help someone out. During one of his summer motorcycle trips while staying in a hotel in Charleston, West Virginia he rescued a drowning teenager swimming at the hotel pool.  

Gary had a passion for flight and obtained his small plane pilot’s license. He flew a Cessna 172 Skyhawk out of Brookville, Ohio and loved to view his property and other areas of Preble County from the sky. He would often drive to Boston Airport over Labor Day weekend and spend the weekend skydiving. 

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, “Sug and Julie” in 1993, and his only son, Jeremy Lee Peters in 1994.  

He is survived by what he considered his greatest accomplishment in life, his 3 “dynamic” daughters, Carrie Kerby (Sayre Oberholzer), Amy Cox (David), Lesley Hamilton-Williams (Brian); former wife and mother of his children, Linda Buchanan; grandchildren Alex Kerby, Lane Kerby, Grant Miller, Lee Miller, Allie Hamilton, Johnathan Hamilton, Bricen Lee Williams; special friends Eric Pence and Ric Shrank; and beloved pets Rudy and Robot. 

Special thanks to Dr. Amy Goff and all of the staff at Reid Health, Everheart Hospice, Vancrest, and The James at Ohio State University for the wonderful care of Gary over the years.  

As we sat with our father that last night, we could sense the peace and celebration he experienced as he was able to be reunited with his son Jeremy once again. Gary left us a written note regarding his final wishes and requested in lieu of a funeral that a celebration of life occur at a later date. 

Memorial contributions may be sent to a non-profit of your choice.