Thomas E Pegler, died Sunday May 6, 2018 at Daviess Community Hospital surrounded by family and friends. He had been ill and bedridden following a stroke on Mother’s Day 2011.
Thomas was born May 27, 1923 to Lalah and Lloyd Pegler in Evansville. He attended West Heights Elementary and Reitz High School in Evansville where he graduated in 1941. He worked at Old National Bank in Evansville after graduation.
He was V-5 Naval Air Cadet, enlisting in 1941 stationed at DePauw University in Greencastle; Lewis School of Aeronautics, Joliet, Ill.; and the Univ. of Georgia. In 1943 he was honorably discharged from the Navy Air Corps. Then enlisted in the Merchant Marine Officers program stationed at San Mateo, CA, where he was promoted to Battalion Commander. He was assigned to a Merchant ship and sent to Sasebo, Japan. He was in Japan when the Atomic Bomb was dropped. Upon returning, he was assigned to the Merchant Marine Academy in Annapolis, Md. After World War II ended, he enrolled in the then Evansville College, graduating in 3 years. During that time he worked for L & N Railroad.
He taught school 2 years at Dale, Indiana where he started the band program.
In 1951 he became the band director at Washington High School where he taught for 37 years. The band made numerous trips under his direction including 3 trips to Washington, D.C., 3 trips to Walt Disney World, Montreal Canada, Dollywood in Knoxville Tn, Chicago, St. Louis and trips to the Kentucky Derby Parade in Louisville. The band under his direction participated in the Indy 500 Festival Parade in Indianapolis, the Jay C parade in Detroit. The band also was the only band to represent the state of Indiana during Richard Nixon’s announcement for presidency. The band had 26 first division awards, in state wide contests.
Gene was a member of Antioch Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 70 years who was with him and raised a family of 4 girls; Rebecca, Rhonda, Rosalyn and Rachelle, and 1 boy, Randall, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
The funeral service for Thomas will be Saturday May 12, 2018. 1:00 pm at the Antioch Christian Church with visitation from 11 am to 1:00 pm at the church. Gill Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences can be made at www.gillsince1872.com.