John Randall Peavey, 1892-1985

Biography

During his long career in law enforcement he served as a deputy sheriff, as chief scout for the U.S. Army border troops from 1916 to 1920, and as assistant chief of the Valley sector of the U.S. Border Patrol. He also served as a Texas Ranger and after his retirement, he continued to hold a commission as a special Ranger.

After he retired he remained active in public life by serving as an appraiser and investigator for a group of Upper Valley banks.

Because of his patrol activities, which took him to every part of the Valley, and his keen interest in the development of the area, he was also cast in the role of historian. Mr. Peavey could entertain gatherings at length with tales of the early days on the border. He was active in the local Old Timers group. Mr. Peavey kept an extensive clipping file, which dated back to the early days of the century beginning with issues of the Brownsvile Herald and the old Brownsville Sentinel.

Drawing on this material, which covered more than a half century and upon his own memory, he could discourse at length on the coming of the railroad, early ranch days, conversion of fields of mesquite and cactus into new cities and the forays of Mexican bandits across the border in the World War I era. His recollections of the past were preserved in written form when he also became the author of Echoes from the Rio Grande, an addition to Texas' histories shelves.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. J. H. Geraci of Metarie, La.,two grandsons, Maj. Robert R. Peavey of Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and John T. Scott of San Antonio, a granddaughter, Susan Oehlers of Luling, Texas, a brother, Harry Peavey of Darien, Conn., and three great grandchildren.

Source:findagrave.com/memorial/24538102/john-randall-peavey

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