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Celebrating the life of

Frank K. Peeples, Sr.

September 01, 1927 - August 18, 2021

Frank is remembered for his kindness, strength, and humor He was thoughtful and caring and loved his family beyond measure.

Frank K. Peeples, Sr.

On Wednesday, August 18th, 2021, Frank Kohler Peeples passed away at the age of 93.

Frank was born on September 1, 1927, in Savannah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Purse Peeples and Homer Franklin Peeples and his brother, Homer Franklin Peeples, Jr.

Frank went to Savannah High School and although too small to play football, the Coach made him the team manager.  He was so good at his job, the coach wrote a letter to Bobby Dodd, legendary football coach at Georgia Tech.  Bobby Dodd offered him the chance to manage the Tech football team and Frank made history as the 1st ever Sophomore to become the Head Manager of the football team, a position he held the remainder of his college years. He graduated from Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering.  Frank was recognized for his significant achievements both  on the field and in logistics by being inducted as a Charter Member in the Georgia Tech School of Engineering Hall of Fame and the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Frank served in the Korean War in the US Army as the Commander of the 3rd Platoon, achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant leading his rifle company and earning a Bronze Star.

After the War, Frank went to work for Stevens Shipping Co., where he became President.  While at Stevens, he invented the bulk handling of kaolin clay which revolutionized the export of that product used for paper coating. Frank left Stevens to form his own stevedoring agency, Southeastern Maritime Company (“SEMCO”). A true visionary, Frank saw the shipping industry changing and bought marine terminal property from the Seaboard Coastline Railroad that became East Coast Terminals.  He later developed an export kaolin clay terminal along with a bulk woodchip handling terminal.  SEMCO was later merged into  Peeples Industries, Inc. as the company expanded and it has been in business for over 55 years

Frank achieved a global reputation as an entrepreneur, inventor and businessman. Due to his representation of several German shipping lines he was appointed as the Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, a position he held for over 30 years.  For his service he was awarded the German Cross, the highest honor given by the German Government to a non-citizen.
He is also remembered for his kindness, strength, and humor He was thoughtful and caring and loved his family beyond measure.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Clarke Peeples, along with two daughters, Daryn Peeples Beringer and Ashley Peeples Oberlin and his son, Frank Peeples, Jr. He also leaves behind six grandsons: Taylor Randolph Beringer, Stuart Marshall Beringer, II, Samuel Kohler Oberlin, Ralph Edwin Oberlin, IV and Brenn Oliver Peeples along with two great grandchildren, Connor Randolph Beringer and Katharine Mae Beringer.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 23rd at Bonaventure Cemetery at 10:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 325 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401 

 

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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A good man has sailed the last ship from Savannah to the great beyond…

- Charlie Ellis, Sav, Ga

Please accept our deepest sympathies condolences and prayers on the recent passing of Frank Peeples.May his soul rest in peace

- Chris Desa, Savannah, GA

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Peeples. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to his family

- Mary Ellen Fantini, Savannah, GEORGIA

While I did not know Frank, I did learn of him when I read the obituary. My family too was from South Carolina as his and we are fourth cousins through Tabitha Peeples who married my great grandfather Felix Washington Tuten, someone I greatly admire. You might already know all of this but years of gathering pieces here and there, I have your love one's family back to 1605 Capt. David Peeples from Scotland. In fact Capt. David is responsible for just all the Peeples in the eastern coast. Our families have paralleled together for many years.

- Bruce Thomas Tuten, Savannah, GA

+ May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. And may light perpetual shine upon them. And may Elizabeth all all who mourn Frank be comforted.

- The Rev'd John Patrick Hunt, Savannah, GA

I'm sorry for your loss. Mr Peeples was a great man and always had a big vision for his company and employees. I am grateful to have been able to work for him and learn the shipping world. He always knew his employees by name and that made you feel special. I know he will be missed by so many.

- Jonathan Black, Ellabell, Ga

I am very sorry for your loss I had the upmost respect for Mr. And Mrs. Peeples they where great people to work for and always treated me well.

- Joe Evans Jr. , Orangeburg, SC

Savannah has lost a staple is the maritime industry. He was a visionary on the river front. I pray for peace and healing for his family knowing he's in a better place.

- Brandon Roberts , Pooler, Ga

i sorry about frank and he was a good man

- serra m carr, ellabell, GA - Georgia

Billings and I were saddened to learn of Frank’s passing. He made such a profound positive impact on this world and was someone we greatly admired. We are thinking of you and your family. John Cay

- Mr and Mrs John E Cay III, Savannah, GA

Sending our love and condolences to the Peeples‘ Family. Frank will be sorely missed….he was 1 in a million and he was loved and respected by the masses. He was extremely generous, kind and caring and he shared those sentiments with everyone in his business and private life. He would socialize seamlessly from a cookout with his warehouse and terminal workers to social events with leaders of industry and community and heads of State. He treated all with equal respect, interest and engagement. In addition, he was an innovative visionary and change-maker in the shipping industry, and earned global notoriety for his company and the Port of Savannah. He is GONE but NEVER forgotten, Rest In Peace PRECIOUS Soul. The Mayfield Family

- Mayfield Family, Savannah, GA

So sorry for your loss-wonderful caring gentleman!

- Darrell Hendricks, Savannah, Georgia

It was a pleasure to have know and worked for him. I know you will truly miss him. My deepest sympathy.

- Cindy Renfro, Rincon, GA

I'm so sorry for your loss, and my heart and prayers go out to all the family for healing through beautiful memories! He was such a sweet man. After our first meeting he always treated me as if he had known me his whole life. He's sailing for brighter shores where there's no need for a Twic card. Rest in Peace Mr. Frank Sr.

- April Smith, Savannah, Ga

I'm so sorry for your loss, and my heart and prayers go out to all the family for healing through beautiful memories! He was such a sweet man. After our first meeting he always treated me as if he had known me his whole life. He's sailing for brighter shores where there's no need for a Twic card. Rest in Peace Mr. Frank Sr.

- April Smith, Savannah, Ga

Dear Betty, Ashley and little Frank, I want you all to know I am thinking of you and sending you and your families love and support. You all have always been family to my family and I am so grateful to have been a part of your lives all these years. I wish I could have been at Frank's service. I am sure it was exactly how he would have wanted it. His obituary was lovely. Thank you for sharing his life. Much love, Little Celia

- Celia Howell, Savannah , Georgia

My condolences to the Peeples family. Although I only met Mr. Peeples once, at his home, he was a man of many exceptional talents. May he Rest In Peace.

- John C.Sykes , Guyton , Ga

I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Mr. Peeples and always thought the world of him. He was a genuine good man and I am glad I was able to know him. It was an honor to work with. Our deepest condolences.

- Jimmy Neal Thompson and Family , Port Wentworth, Georgia

Mr. Peeples you are an amazing man. You lived life to the fullest. So honored to have known you. Now you are probably BSn with Andy. Prayers are with your whole family and friends.

- Szydlowski , Savannah , Ga

From my family to your family, we send our prayers and deepest sympathy. Mr. Peeples will be greatly missed.

- Debra E. Walker, Savannah, GA

Daryn and Frank, Though I'm late in learning of your Father's death, I am no less sorry for your loss and could not let it go unmentioned. He touched the lives of many people in Savannah and beyond. I look on the years of my employ with SEMCO fondly. Though the years may pass, the friends I made and the lessons learned will last. Thank you Frank. Fair winds and following seas to you.

- Arthur Roberts, Okatie, SC

Services under the direction of:

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200