Ralph Peters

Ralph Joseph Peters, 77, of Lake Toxaway, NC died on Monday, January 24, 2022. Ralph was the son of the late Cora Turner and Joseph Peters. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Angela Peters; sister, Carmen Peters; first wife, Janice Brasgalla; son, Erik Gollnick; mother-in-law, Jane Andrews; and son-in-law, John Crawford. Ralph was a Veteran of the United States Navy.

Ralph was a member of Troop 10, Boy Scouts of America in Oneco, FL as a child and later went back to become a leader of Troop 10. Ralph became Camp Ranger of the Boy Scouts Camp Flying Eagle in Bradenton, Florida.

Ralph’s life was led to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina in 1993. Ralph became the Scoutmaster of Explorer Post 711 in Brevard, where his middle son Erik earned his Eagle Scout Rank.   His youngest son, Adam earned his Eagle Scout Rank in Quebec, NC Troop 711. Ralph was very proud of the Eagle Scouts he mentored as Scoutmaster. His first, middle and last Eagle Scouts were extremely important to Ralph, being his son-in-law, Billy Parker; son, Erik Gollnick and son, Adam Peters. His final pride in the boys that he has worked with is his grandson, Erik Walters.

Ralph and his wife, Lynn own The Mountain Voice online newspaper in Lake Toxaway.

Ralph was very supportive of the Inheritance of Hope, based in Pisgah Forest, NC. This organization was formed to and continues to help families with a parent who has a terminal illness.  Ralph saw first-hand how his daughter’s family learned to leave a lasting legacy of hope and how to walk the journey of the death of a parent.

Later in life Ralph became a Real Bearded Santa and worked with many young children in Transylvania County sharing his excitement for Santa and the children. He was the regular yearly Santa at the Lake Toxaway Country Club in Lake Toxaway. His last visit as Santa was at Biltmore Church Brevard Campus on Christmas Eve. He was so happy to share with the children of our home church. It filled his heart with love and joy to see the children’s excitement at meeting Santa Claus.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Lynn Folds Peters of the home; sons: Christopher Peters and wife Tammie of Lakeland, FL and Adam Peters and wife Perla of Lake Toxaway; daughters: Stacey Parker and husband Billy of Bowling Green, FL and Heather Dodd and husband Tom of Seneca, SC; his son from another family, Jacob Peek and wife Whitney of TN; sisters: Elaine Sturgeon of Fredericksburg, VA and Sally Gall and husband Keith of Palm Harbor, FL; brothers: Glen Turner and wife Sandi of Houston, TX and Rusty  Turner, of Destin, FL; grandchildren: Savannah, Erik, Jason, Jakob, Tae, Lauren, Alexis and Jamie; great granddaughter, Paisley; many extended family members and a very special family: Michael and MaryBeth Walters, Harrison and Jackson; his church family and the scouting families he has worked with, served and loved over his lifetime.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Biltmore Church, Brevard, with Rev. Tyler Littrell officiating. Inurnment will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory in Pisgah Forest.

I lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Inheritance of Hope, POB 155 Seneca, SC 29679 or online at give.inheritanceofhope.org.