Edwin "Ed" Peeler or Coach Peeler, 86, passed away on January 10, 2023. He was the son of the late Edwin Hugh Peeler and Elsie Whitener Peeler and brother to the late Michael Peeler. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorotha Faye Peeler, and two infant sons, Robert and Vance Peeler. He is survived by son, Todd Peeler and wife Paula; their children, Jonathan and Abigail Peeler. Also surviving are his remaining siblings, Joe and Irene Peeler of Texas, Charlie and Starr Peeler of Shelby, Phil Peeler of Shelby, Linda Hendrick of Lattimore, Tim and Sheila Peeler of Shelby, along with their children, and sister-in-law, Debbie Peeler.
Ed Peeler enjoyed a lengthy career as a highly successful history teacher, coach, and athletic director, primarily at Crest High School in Cleveland County. A graduate of Shelby High, Gardner-Webb Junior College, and Appalachian State University, Peeler posted a brilliant 562-362 mark as a head men's basketball coach, including two years at Mooresboro, six at Crest at Boiling Springs and then 30 at Crest. He also coached women's basketball, baseball, cross-country, track and golf during his career. Peeler is best known for his basketball efforts, guiding his teams to the playoffs 24 times. His teams won the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association crown in both 1973 and '74 and were runners-up in '71, and he also won an NCHSAA state baseball title in 1965 at Mooresboro. Inducted as a member of the Cleveland County Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sports Hall of Fame, he served as AD at Crest for 30 years and also coached in several basketball all-star games, including the North Carolina Coaches Association contests. He retired in 1997 as one of the Top 10 Winningest Coaches in North Carolina. Because of his contributions and legacy, in 2000, Crest High School dedicated the gymnasium in his honor and named it the Ed Peeler Gymnasium. He was also inducted into the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2001.
Following his retirement, Ed volunteered and served as a board member of the Cleveland County Boys and Girls Club, Earl Scruggs Center, Cleveland County Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sports Hall of Fame Committee, and enjoyed working at the Shelby City Park Golf Course. A devoted member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Ed enjoyed greeting members and guests each Sunday and also served as a Sunday School teacher. Never one to be still for long, he cruised the community every Saturday, especially after a big sporting event, stopping in to speak with the usuals at the Boiling Springs Snack Shop before heading over to Shelby Sporting Goods where a small crowd would be gathered to analyze each quarter of the game. Always community minded, he strived to find ways that students and players, regardless of the sport, could connect with the local community and beyond whether through field trips or business sponsorships for the school's activities. Amidst all of his activities, he always found time to be with his family, especially his grandchildren spoiling them with Dairy Queen trips following school and attending their sporting events to cheer them on.
To honor the life of Mr. Peeler a memorial service will be held, January 21, 2023, at 3 o'clock. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Ed Peeler Gymnasium at Crest High School prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery, Rev. Sally Queen will offer words of encouragement to those in attendance.
Memorials: Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Height Dr. Shelby, NC 28150 and/or Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland County, P.O. Box 2001 Shelby, NC 28151
Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhom.com
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Peeler. |
