Donald Whitfield Peters

Donald Whitfield Peters, 68, of Jacksonville passed away on June 19, 2018 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House two years after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. The memorial service will be held at Lakewood United Methodist Church in North Little Rock on Saturday, June 23 at 1 p.m., visitation will follow. Don was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Russellville High School and went on to receive a BS in Mathematics from Arkansas Tech, an MA in Mathematics from Indiana University, and a Masters in Industrial Engineering from University of Arkansas. He later became a CPA. He was married to Kay Morgan Peters on May 25, 1974, and they recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. Don began his professional career working for Arkansas Power and Light Company in the Forecast and Planning Department. He spent over 40 years working from this position to become an expert in the utility regulation field for Entergy Corporation. Don became a true expert in utility regulation representing Entergy Companies in Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and in Federal matters, Washington D.C. He spent countless hours writing testimony and testifying in complicated regulatory cases. Additionally, he was an adjunct professor of mathematics at UALR. He was heavily involved in Rotary at the local, national, and international levels as an advocate for the youth exchange program. He was proud to have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students throughout his tenure. He was known for his exuberant speaking style and inspired many. He was a charter member of the Sherwood Rotary club. Don was a past Sherwood Club President, South Central Rotary Youth Exchange President, North American Youth Exchange Network President, and Rotary International Youth Exchange Chairman. As a devout Methodist, he served as District Lay Leader for his United Methodist District Conference. He had previously served as the Youth Director and organist of Bethel United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, and Puppet Master of First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock. He was a current member of Lakewood United Methodist Church. He is survived by his beloved wife Kay Peters of Jacksonville, daughter Dr. Emma Jacobs and son in law Jonathan Jacobs of Jonesboro, daughter, Rebecca Howell and son-in-law, Billy Howell of Jacksonville, father, Rev. Muriel Peters of Jacksonville, and brother, Dale Peters and sister-in-law, Ann Peters of Jacksonville. He was a devoted and indulgent grandfather to Corbin Howell, David Jacobs, and Hazel Jacobs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the following: "In Memory of Don Peters" SCRYE Scholarship Fund, c/o Rod Krieie. 514 West 12th Street, Newton, Kan. 67114. A Don Peters Memorial Scholarship fund for exchange students will be established to enrich the lives of students who might otherwise not be able to benefit from the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Online Registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com.