Danny Gene Peterson
A memorial service for Danny Gene Peterson, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Peterson passed away at 5:23 a.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at his home.
He was born December 12, 1946, at West Plains, Missouri, to Eugene and Helen Hoglen Peterson. Danny married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Easley on June 3, 1967, in West Plains. The couple grew their family, adding two children, Angie and Jason. Danny was a member of the National Guard, serving from 1967 to 1974. Danny was employed by the International Shoe Company for twenty-nine years before joining his dad to open Eugene Peterson Auto Sales. During his time at the “shoe factory”, Danny accepted Jesus as his savior, after long conversations with a work friend, Duane Flood. At the car lot, Danny and his dad, Gene, created a place for racers and car enthusiasts to get together and talk all things racing. Danny was an expert mechanic fixing everything from classic cars to sewing machines. Many friendships were developed working on race cars at the lot. He loved his pit crew members, especially Dick Peterson and Butch Batesel. He was most known for his time as a racer. He raced stock cars and late models locally, the #71 car, from 1961 to 2015. He was the first recipient of the “Legends of Dirt” honor awarded by Legit Speedway. He won hundreds of races and was a regional legend. In his free time, Danny enjoyed traveling with his family, spending weekends at the lake, listening to live music, tinkering with cars and riding his motorcycle. His laughter was infectious and his family couldn’t help but laugh with him. He loved dogs, especially his Doberman Pinchers. He and Barbara’s poodle, Toby, provided great companionship in his final years. Danny was a member of United Freewill Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Barbara; his daughter, Angie Garner and husband, Jimmy; his son, Jason Peterson and wife, Rachel; four grandchildren, granddaughters Brady Sharp and husband, James and Ashton Garner and partner Dennis and grandsons Ethan Garner and fiance’ Heather and Lawson Peterson and wife, Haylie; four great-grandchildren, Norah, Brooks, Laynie and Walker; sisters-in-law, Pat Ford and Ginger Peterson; three nephews, Derrick Blackburn and wife, Kris, Shayne Peterson and wife, Renetta and Shawn Peterson and partner, Denise; one niece, Brittney Stanley and husband, Will; and a host of other family and friends, including best friends, Kenny and Judy Hanshaw.
His parents, his wife’s parents, Hubert and Fern Easley and his brother, Dick Peterson, preceded him in death.
The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus for their exceptional care, especially Austin, Roberta and Leslie.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or United Freewill Baptist Church of West Plains building fund, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.