John Corwin Peters

John Corwin Peters, 83, of 1024 Keystone Lane, Clemson SC, passed away October 19, 2026.

He was born in Canton, OH, son of the late Calvin & Margaret. Peters and was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He is survived by Sylvia Hodgson Peters, his wife of 61years and their children, James C Peters and daughter in-law, Erin of Gahanna, Ohio and Kevin J. Peters and daughter-in-law, Michelina of Pittsburgh, PA. He also leaves 10 grandchildren, Jacob C. Peters from Gahanna, Ohio and Ross(Mattison), Victoria Merhaut(Leo), Maria, Angelina, William, Seth, Lydia, Andrew, and Alexander Peters from Pittsburgh, Great Grandchild Fiadh Merhaut from Pittsburgh PA. also has a sister & brother-in-law, Sue and Don Brietzke, who live in Seneca, SC. Along with several nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio (B.A.) and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan (MBA). He served in the United States Air Force for 251/2 years in the comptroller field and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He then worked at Clemson University, as a conference planner for the National Dropout Prevention Center for 25 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Clemson, where he served as chairman of the evangelic outreach committee. He was instrumental in negotiating with the city of Clemson for a permanent building for the Clemson Community Care where he served as the chairman of the board. Active in other civic affairs, Peters was, at one time, President of the Clemson Noon Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He took great pride in the fact that, in 35 years, he never missed a meeting. As a Rotarian, he helped reorganize the Interact Club at Daniel High School. Peters was also a member of the City of Clemson Planning Commission and the Clemson Men’s Fellowship Club.

Peters will be remembered in the community for his involvement in the FCA Adult Chapter which began under his leadership in 1992. This group has been able to financially support the Clemson University FCA Huddle in their mission trips and FCA summer camp scholarships for local high school students. Because of his long-term commitment to FCA he was inducted into the FCA National Hall of Champions in 2025 and was recognized at the FCA National Headquarters in Kansas City, MO.

In 2011, Peters was selected as “Volunteer of the Year” and was the recipient of the “Abernathy/Cox One Clemson Award” for outstanding contributions to the city of Clemson and Clemson University. The Mayor of Clemson proclaimed May 15, 2023, as “John Peters Day” for his major contributions to the many non-profits in Clemson and the National D.A.R. presented him a certificate for excellence in community service. As an IPTAY rep, his competitive spirit kept him active in Tiger sports.

Peters loved his God and his family. He lived a life any of us would be proud to emulate, full of spirituality, energy, and integrity.

Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church of Clemson on Saturday December 12, 2026, at 2:00 pm followed by a reception in the church’s Family Life Center.

Internment will be at Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a future date.

In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made to:

Clemson FCA Adult Chapter

c/o Richard Coleman

P.O. Box 33061

Clemson, SC 29633

First Baptist Church of Clemson

397 College Ave

Clemson, SC 29631

Rotary Club of Clemson Foundation

P.O. Box 1475

Clemson, SC 29633

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.