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.
Glen and Nancy Parrish
August 1, 2025 @ 5:54 pm
Our deepest condolences. May your family find comfort during this difficult time.
Glen and Nancy Parrish
Glen and Nancy Parrish
August 1, 2025 @ 6:05 pm
May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time. Our sincere condolences.
Glen and Nancy Parrish
Bill Frye
August 1, 2025 @ 6:40 pm
Prayers for you all, Danny was a great racer and good friend.
Joy
August 1, 2025 @ 6:50 pm
So sorry for your loss sending prayers
Melinda (Burgess) King
August 1, 2025 @ 8:10 pm
Angie and family,
So very sorry to hear this news. My Dad and your Dad were car buddies for years. They’ve probably been sharing stories already.
May your memories bring you peace and comfort.
Janina West
August 1, 2025 @ 8:45 pm
Angie and family, I am so very sorry. I will keep all of you in my prayers and know God will help you through these difficult days.
I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your dad but he sounds like a wonderful man who impacted many lives.
Love you Angie
Amber Redburn
August 2, 2025 @ 5:09 pm
To the Peterson Families,
Our Deepest Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Danny. Daily may God provide comfort, strength, encouragement, and peace. We will be keeping all of you in our daily prayers and thoughts. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris & Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber(Cozort), and Corby Redburn
Vicky Grisham
August 2, 2025 @ 5:52 pm
To Barbara and family,
Condolences on the loss of Danny. My Father, Duane Flood, thought so much of him. And Mom and Dad thought the world of you Barbara. So many of Dad’s fun shoe factory memories included Danny. May your memories with him see you through this difficult time.
Vicky (Flood) Grisham
Travis Wheeler
August 3, 2025 @ 5:41 pm
I will never forget all the good time watching Danny, Dick, and John Mack Farlen run the streets of WP. Those guys Always had the Cool Cars and the 54 Ford I had would not keep up with them. RIP. Car Man
Darrin Reed
August 4, 2025 @ 12:19 pm
My deepest condolences to the Peterson family. What a legacy Danny left for his family to cherish. My prayers are with you.
Rick Clinton
August 6, 2025 @ 7:22 am
Danny was an awesome friend. Worked with him back in the international shoe factory days and raced with him for years. He will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Beth Warren
August 6, 2025 @ 2:18 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss Angie.
Delores Horner
August 6, 2025 @ 6:54 pm
Barbara and family, my love and prayers are coming your way. I am so sorry for your loss. It just seems like yesterday that we were all in high school. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.
Judi Bolton Wheat
August 8, 2025 @ 6:40 am
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear that you lost Danny. Please know that I am praying for you and your family.
Larry Proffitt
August 8, 2025 @ 3:32 pm
Barbara, you and Danny go way back no matter if it was classmates (Danny) or friends. I am praying for you and your family. May the peace of God be with you all.