James Maurice Peel "Maurice", of El Dorado, was born April 15, 1943, in Jonesboro, LA, to the late Vivian Thornton Peel and James Murray Peel. His sister, Myrna DeCou, preceded him in death. He died April 22, 2024, at Oak Ridge Health and Rehab.
His son, David Maurice Peel, and his wife of nearly 59 years, Patricia Elmore Peel, will hold dear the memory of him. Other relatives include granddaughter, Hillary Bradford, nephew, Mitch DeCou (Kim), niece, Lesley Simpson (Al), niece, Lauren Phillips (Shane), nieces, Celeste Hernandez (Dennis) and Hannah Carter, nephew, Aaron Hunter and brother-in-law, Larry Elmore.
Maurice's goal in retirement was to read all the books he ever wanted to read, but what he did instead was to continue his education. His life-long interest in learning led him to earn a master's in business from Memphis State University, and after retirement an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master's in biological science from Louisiana Tech. He briefly taught biology at South Arkansas Community College.
He graduated from Jonesboro High School, Jonesboro, LA and from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. While at Louisiana Tech he met his future wife, Patricia Elmore.
He loved watching trees grow so he built a greenhouse and sold trees online. He built a workshop for his 1949 Ford truck and later his 1971 Mustang.
Maurice retired as the Manager of Marketing Operations from Murphy Oil. His office workers volunteered that he was a good boss.
He became the first director of St. Paul Methodist Church's food pantry. The church gained an active member when he joined it, as he headed several committees over the years.
He knew how to organize, follow goals, delegate, and complete his pursuits at his job and in hs volunteer work. He was the man you wanted on a committee or to head it.
His love for his wife and son knew no bounds, and although he was a man of few words, his actions were loud. He always completed what he promised he would do.
Thank you to the caring nurses and aides of Oak Ridge Nursing, Gentiva Hospice and Baptist Health Hospital in Monticello, AR.
Visitation will be at St. Paul Global Methodist Church, corner of 8th Street and College Avenue from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024. Rev. Randy Rowlan will lead the service at 1:00 p.m. under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors. Interment will follow in Jonesboro, LA, in the Gayla Traina Memorial Cemetery.
Alzheimer's started taking away his memories and activities several years ago. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, St. Paul Global Methodist Church, or any of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) charities.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Peel family.
