Obituary of Joe Earl Peach, Sr.

Rev. Joe Earl Peach Sr. was born on July 22, 1932 in Caryville, Florida to John Frank Peach and Eula Kay Graves Peach. He moved to Tampa, Florida as a small child where he met and later married his childhood sweetheart, Twila Virginia Parish Peach. This May they will be married 67 years.

Mr. Peach joined the United States Air Force on May 4, 1948 at the age of 16. He served his country for 20 years, 5 months and 21 days and retired from Mac Dill Airforce Base on May 31, 1968 as a Master Sargent. He received several commendations during his years of services including:

Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Occupation Medal, NCO Academy Award, Longevity Service Award with 4 Bronze Clusters, Good Conduct Awards with 4 Loops.

After retiring from the USAF, Mr. Peach joined the Temple Terrace Police Department where he held several positions including Chief of Police and Detective. While serving with the police department, he was called to the Ministry. He often ministered while in his police uniform. He served in both capacities until his retirement from the police department when he retired after 12 years of service.

Upon his retirement, he devoted the remainder of his life to the ministry. He served as Pastor for Temple Terrace Baptist Church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Eureka Baptist Church, Lake Park Baptist Church and Ocklawaha Baptist Church. Upon leaving the pulpit, he retired to Eureka and joined the fellowship of Mill Creek Baptist Church.

In 1972 Mr. Peach ran for Hillsborough County Commissioner, although not successful he continued to be passionate about local politics. He really cared about the people of Hillsborough County and still had the ear of local leaders. Mr. Peach was a member of the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, Civitan Club, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Florida Peace Officers Associations. He was a Mason and member of the Shriners.

As Patriarch of our family, he made us extremely proud with his military service, dedication to the community as a police officer and his passion to his teaching of Christ and Salvation. He was a stern but compassionate father who taught us the true meaning of unconditional love.

He is survived by his wife Twila Virginia Parish Peach; children, Joe Earl Peach Jr. (Debbie), John Robert Peach, David Allen Peach and Janice Peach Stockwell (Greg); grandchildren: Angela Peach Owen (Kelly), Joe Earl Peach III (Paula), Donna Peach Dimizio, Jason Allen Peach, Craig Allen Peach, Michael David Gatineau (Shawna), Ryan Patrick Gatineau (Eva), Rebekah Hannah Sager, Sarah Elizabeth Sager; great grandchildren: Brian Lee Peach, Jeremy Ray Elliott. Cassie Ramey, Jerry Lee Welch, Austin Christopher Welch, Theresa Breann Dimizio, Cooper Peach, Noah Alexander, Kaylee Alexander, Casen Ryan Gatineau and great great grandchild Abel Duane Elliot; He is preceded in death by his parents, John Frank Peach and Eula Kay Graves Peach; brothers John David Peach, Harvey Lee Peach, Roy Frank Peach, William F. Peach and Jimmy Daniel Peach and sister, Velma Christine Peach Bush.   

A service with military honors will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on Monday, February 18, 2019 beginning at 11:30 AM.