David Longley Peebles

David L. Peebles, a prominent civic and industry leader of Hayes, died in Gloucester County on June 13, 2025. He was 96. Born November 30, 1928, to the late Elizabeth Collins and Benjamin Walter Peebles in Newark, New Jersey. After David's father died prematurely, he came to Virginia and was raised by his loving aunt and uncle, Dora Lee and Kenneth Peebles. David was a determined young man who dreamed on paper napkins from his early years. He attended local public schools and graduated from Newport News High School in 1946. From there, he attended and graduated from Clemson University in 1949 and was commissioned as a Second Lt. in the Army Reserve. He became a plumbing, heating, and industrial supply business pioneer. He started his career at Noland Company and joined Charles A. Ferguson, Ralph M. Lenz, and John Smither in a start-up venture in 1953. A great visionary from the beginning, Peebles was acknowledged to be one of the industry's greats. David joined Lenz Supply in 1959 and became President of Crossroads Supply after Ralph Lenz stepped down in 1969. One of his first actions was to change the company's name to Ferguson in honor of his mentor, Charles Ferguson, who passed away in 1955. In 1959, he returned to his beloved hometown, which he always affectionately revered and called the Great Virginia Peninsula. Peebles Supply was opened at 600 Rotary Street, and this was the beginning of the maturing of Ferguson Enterprises. Ten years later, in 1969, Peebles was elected president of Ferguson Enterprises, a newly formed entity with six locations. At this time, Peebles began the Ferguson Executive Training Program and became known as the great motivator to ensure that future leaders would preserve Ferguson's culture, values, and work ethic. With Peebles, it was always God and Country First, followed closely behind by his beloved family and the jewel, Ferguson Enterprises. He was always great for promoting "The Great Virginia Peninsula" and encouraging his associates to give back to the community. By 1982, Ferguson had become a premier recognized wholesale plumbing, heating, and waterworks leader. He oversaw the sale of Ferguson to the U.K.-based Wolseley Plc, making Ferguson a publicly traded company. In 1985, David became the first American to join Wolseley's Board of Directors. He passed the reins to Charlie Banks in 1989, who had been the first trainee in Ferguson's Training Program. David forged a legacy, whether it was the world-class company Ferguson Enterprises, beautiful gardens at Lisburne, a litany of civic endeavors, education leadership, historic preservation, and God's church at Abingdon, where he served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Trustee, and chairman of the restoration committee for many years. David was known as the Renaissance man, a brilliant, practical, and enthusiastic businessman, but his humanitarian ideas never diminished. He always wanted a collegial atmosphere where employees were known as "associates". He was an advocate for the historic Great Virginia Peninsula, and very proud as rector of Christopher Newport University to have recommended Senator Paul Trible as president, and the subsequent success stories of the young, vibrant university. Under David's recommendation, J. Clyde Morris Boulevard became "The Avenue of the Arts" with the Mariners Museum, Peninsula Fine Arts Center, Virginia Living Museum, Virginia War Memorial Museum, and the Riverside Medical Complex. His accomplishments, affiliations, and services were numerous; however, a few that he was most proud of were receiving the Alumni Distinguished Service Award from Clemson and serving as a Clemson Foundation Director. He was a member of the William and Mary School of Business Board of Sponsors and Secretary of the William and Mary Endowment Committee. Peebles also served as President of Newport News Education Foundation and the Gloucester Education Foundation. In the arts, Peebles served on the Boards of the Chrysler Museum, the Virginia Symphony, and as Chairman of the Committee to Restore the Governor's Mansion. In civic endeavors, Peebles served as Chairman of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council, President and Campaign Chairman of the United Way, President of the Boy Scouts of America, and Director of the Air and Space Center. He was Chairman of the Nations Bank Advisory Board and Founder of First Peninsula Bank, Group Harbor Bank, and Middle Peninsula Savings and Loan. After retirement, his hobby of collecting antiques turned into a full-time job as owner of Swan Tavern Antiques.
Dora Lee, Kenneth Peebles, and siblings Beverly Kelly and Janet Host preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Adams Peebles, their children Melinda Peebles Smith (Jeff), Laura Peebles Corr, David L. Peebles, Jr., and Jonathan G. Peebles; 9 grandchildren Andrew R. Corr, Jr., (Tiffany), Jeffrey Hunter Smith, Jr., Mary Peyton Smith Garavet (Chase), Mary Grace Corr, Dacey Peebles, Della Peebles, Abigail Peebles, Madeline Peebles, Vivian Peebles, two great-grandchildren Lynlee Danielle and Allie Grace Corr; and a brother Kenneth Peebles.
The service for Mr. Peebles will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Abingdon Episcopal Church, 4645 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester, Virginia 23061, with a reception following the service. Inurnment will be private. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Abingdon Episcopal Church, PO Box 82, White Marsh, Virginia 23183, or Abingdon Volunteer Fire & Rescue, treasurer@avfr.co, PO Box 9, Bena, Virginia 23018-services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.