James Robert Peavy (Big R) was born December 7, 1938, to Jeanette Moore Peavy and Jimmy “Buster” Peavy in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.  The son of Thad McFarland, he was raised by his Granny and Granddad, Dan and Velma Moore on the beloved homesite where he lived most of his life.   He hung his hat in heaven on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Preceded in death by his parents, Jeanette Sherrill (Jake) and Thad McFarland (Margaret).  Sister and brother-in-law, Linda Rollins (Bud), brother, Ted McFarland and sister, Vickie Sherrill.  Sons, Randy Peavy and Kirt Peavy – who disappeared in McCurtain County on August 6, 2016 and is presumed dead, son-in-law, Douglas Lehmusvirta.  Also, preceded in death by his Mother and Father-in-law, Dexter and Laura Bell Gamble, brothers-in-law Marvin, Junior and David Gamble, and sisters-in-law Janice Patton, Kay Johnson, Ruthie Elrod, Mae Pierce and Bobbie Gamble.

To a cherished few, Big R was known as Husband, Dad, Poppy, Uncle Robert and Chief.

Big R is survived by his wife, love and soulmate of 65 years, Patsy (Gamble) Peavy; loving sister, Jan McFarland of Broken Bow, loving daughters; Tonia (Doyle) Parker of Austin, TX; Dana (Russ) Willingham, Judy (George) Pieratt, of Broken Bow.

Grandchildren – Jeremy (Kristine) Brock, McKinney, TX; Geoffrey (Katy) Brock, Austin, TX; Michael (Magan) Willingham, Madison Peavy, James Mitchell Peavy Hodge and Bradley (Kisha) Pannell of Broken Bow.

Great Grandchildren – Tyler Douglas, Oklahoma City; Ella Brock, Austin, TX; Kace Brock and John Robert Brock, McKinney, TX; Marshall Willingham, Molly Willingham, Luke Woods and Jovi Pannell, Broken Bow. 

Special Nephew – Jim Rollins (Melinda) of Monahans, TX and step-grandsons, Britt Parker of Midland, TX and Clay Parker of Taylor, TX.  Additionally, he is survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law:  Buddy Gamble, Jerry Gamble (Betty), Faye Dixson (Sherman) of Broken Bow, Mike Gamble (Vickie) and Valerie Perkins (Gene) of Idabel and Charlotte "Charlie" Riggs (Tommy) of Golden.

He also leaves behind his coffee drinking Gossip Buddies – Jerry Bunch, Mike and Billy Bray, his best friend and spoiled rotten dog – Jinxy-Baby, his beloved, long haired, man-eating, miniature dachshund and his dedicated Home Health Providers – Amber Grinitz, Valorie Brake, and Justin Black.

Big R joined the National Guards when he was 16 years old and volunteered his services.  He graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1957 where he was a football hero and was recruited by Oklahoma State University to play football.  While he accepted the full-ride scholarship, his love interest (Patsy) was back in Broken Bow and his love interest was much stronger than his desire to play football so after a couple of months, he hitched a ride with an 18-wheel truck driver from Stillwater to Broken Bow.

In his 20s and 30s, Big R was a rough neck, working in the oil fields of West Texas (Kermit) until he moved the family back home to Broken Bow in 1966, to take care of his Granny Moore.  While the family remained in Broken Bow, he hitchhiked to New Orleans each month and worked on offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 1973 he joined the Broken Bow Fire Department as a firefighter and in 1978 became Broken Bow Fire Chief.  Big R served with unwavering dedication for close to 30 years, retiring as Chief on June 30, 2002.  Known as a fair leader and mentor, Big R shaped generations of firefighters with his compassion and wisdom.  In addition to being the Civil Defense Director for Southeast Oklahoma for many years, he was instrumental in spreading McCurtain County EMS ambulance service across the county.  His proudest achievement, in addition to raising six kids, was the McCurtain County Firefighter Training Center which he lobbied for and poured his blood, sweat and tears into constructing it.  He treasured the bond of friendship with those who worked under his command; those who got the job done!  His legacy of service and camaraderie lives on.

Big R was a charter member of the McCurtain County Fire Association, was a Master Mason raised in the Broken Bow Masonic Lodge, and a Shriner Nobleman of the Muskogee Bedouin Temple.  He was Broken Bow Citizen of the Year in 1985 and Owa Chito Festival of the Forest Chairman in 1987. 

In his spare time, when he wasn’t running the “chain gang” for the Broken Bow High School Savages football team, he poured concrete and fished the Mountain Fork River.  He was an avid “noodler” catching catfish with his hands and feet. He was known for his fish-fry’s and hush puppies and loved to cook for his community and fellow firefighters.   He also loved to hunt deer, mostly with binoculars, off his back porch.  Big R was a jack of all trades while he didn’t believe in instruction manuals, he could jury rig just about anything and still crack a joke while doing it.

In retirement, Big R was a fifth-wheel RV traveling aficionado taking Patsy anywhere her heart desired.  They loved fifth wheeling across the United States with friends Barbara and Bill Bailey and Clifford and Lil Staude.  He was a man of simple pleasures, a loving family man and a dedicated fan of classic westerns, especially Gunsmoke which he watched religiously.  The joy he found in fifth wheeling was nothing compared to the comfort of his favorite armchair and Matt Dillion’s adventures on the prairie.

He will be missed by his family, fellow fire fighters and the Broken Bow Community.

Rest in peace Poppy, tell Matt, Miss Kitty, Doc Adams and Chester hello.

Visitation will be held at Bunch-Singleton Funeral Home, Broken Bow, Friday, January 16, 2026 between the hours of 5:00pm and 7:00pm.  A private family service will be held at a later date.