Scott Peeler

Peeler, Scott L. Jr.

of Valrico, Florida passed away on August 6th, just shy of his 78th birthday, due to complications from non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. He was born on August 25, 1947 in Rome, Georgia. At 16 months of age, his family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where he had his primary and secondary public-school education, graduating from Central High School in 1965. After one year at Tennessee Wesleyan College, he transferred to the University of South Florida moving to Tampa at age 18. He received a BA in Spanish and French from USF and an MA in Spanish and Education also from USF. He was a doctoral candidate in Higher and Adult Education through the American Indian Leadership Program at Arizona State University. He was a teacher in Lakeland, Polk County until retirement. After two years of retirement, he returned to teaching in Hillsborough County until his second retirement. He also taught U.S. History part-time at Hillsborough Community College and grant writing at Scottsdale (AZ) Community College through the Tribal Management Program. During his long career in education, he also worked many part-time jobs including being a tour guide in the Tampa Bay area for 50 years. He also taught in the Adult Education program at Brandon Adult High School.

In February 1970, he moved to Valrico. He was involved in many organizations including the Cherokees of Central Florida (former Genealogical Committee Chair), Tampa Sister Cities (former Board Member), Ybor City State Museum (former Board Member), Tampa Bay Camellia Society (former Judge and Board Member), Knight in the Krewe of Sant' Yago, Tampa Bay Civil War Roundtable (Founding Vice President), Florida Genealogical Society (former President), Brandon Area Genealogical and Historical Society (former President), Tampa Bay History Center (Charter Member), and the Tampa Historical Society (former Board Member).

He received many awards and honors. He was a 16-gallon blood donor. He was listed in several editions of "Who's Who." At ASU, he received the Carnation Teaching Incentive Award for being the most outstanding minority graduate student. He was editor of the "Historical Markers and Monuments in Tampa and Hillsborough County" book for the Tampa Historical Society. He was a lifelong member of several organizations including the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, American Camellia Society, Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

Family history, travel, languages, gardening and meeting people were special interests.

He was predeceased by parents, Scott L. Peeler Sr. and Emily Willis Peeler; sister, Barbara Peeler Johnson and infant brother, James Willis Peeler. He is survived by many cousins and genealogical friends, two nephews and the children of one of them.

He began the first scholarship at USF for American Indians. Memorial donations requested for the Scott L. Peeler Jr. Endowed Scholarship for American Indians, USF Foundation, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620.

He was a lifelong member of Fountain City United Methodist Church, Knoxville Tennessee.

Burial is at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Tampa.

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