Ernest Robert Peacock

Ernest Robert Peacock was born October 16, 1944 in Lake City, Florida to Edwin and Aurelia Peacock. He passed peacefully March 29, 2023 in Palm Coast, Florida where he lived the past eight years.
Ernest spent his early years working in his family’s chicken houses, climbing trees, and getting in trouble with friends. Ernest graduated from Columbia County High School, then briefly attended Lake City Junior College Forest Ranger School. At age 19, he served a two-year church mission to share his testimony of Jesus Christ in the area of Calgary, Alberta Canada. Afterwards, he pursued his education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Upon graduation he returned home where he met the love of his life, Gail Ward of Lake Butler. They were married 51 years and enjoyed a lifetime of family gatherings, church service, fishing, boiled peanuts, and homemade ice cream.
Ernest was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in several church callings; including Bishop and Stake President during the formation of the Lake City Stake. In his later years he served alongside his wife on a church mission in Houston, Texas.
Ernest was also an avid sports fan. He coached Pop Warner football and loved attending his children’s sporting events; basketball, baseball, and tennis matches. He rooted for the Florida Gators and in his later years, the Clemson Tigers. He knew stats, recruits, and game times like the back of his hand. If he enjoyed something, he wanted you to enjoy it too, whether that was a food he was eating or a game he was watching.
Ernest had a generous heart, almost to a fault. He was always willing to help those in need. He was a joy to be around and a positive influence on all who knew him. He will be greatly missed, but has five beautiful children to carry on his legacy of love of family, Christ-like service, and Chinese Buffets.
Ernest is predeceased in death by his parents, Edwin and Aurelia Peacock. He is survived by his wife, Gail Peacock and their five children: Lance, Steve, Clay, Jeff, and Jill, as well as 15 cherished grandchildren. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lake Butler, Florida on Saturday, April 15th. A visitation will begin at 10AM with a memorial service to follow at 11AM.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate at your local blood bank. During Ernest’s relatively short illness, he received about 30 pints of blood. (The average body contains about 10 pints.)  From our experience we acquired a new awareness for the need of blood donations.
We also encourage you to consider sending donations to help fund a center for at risk youth in Union County.  This effort is spearheaded by the Victory Christian Center in Lake Butler, Florida.
Donations can be sent to:
Impact Center
PO Box 363
Lake Butler, FL 32054