It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Robert Louis Peyton Jr Bobby/Bob went to that beautiful cabin and fishing hole that he always dreamed of moving to, only now it is in heaven.
Bobby was born in Sangamon County, Springfield, Illinois. He was the third of four children born to Robert L. and Lorella Lee Peyton Sr. The family moved from Illinois to Calif. Several times before he was 4. A joint business partnership brought the family back to California, where they settled in Trona, and Bobby attended Trona Elementary. The family moved to Inyokern, and he attended first-grade Inyokern Elementary.
In 1957 his family bought a new house in Ridgecrest, where he lived until 18. Bobby spent most of his childhood learning baseball skills and playing in the All-Stars. He was that kid that was tough as nails running barefoot in the summer months and digging forts in the desert with his brother Charles and best friend, Pete Larson. Bobby attended Las Flores Elementary the first year the school opened and later James Monroe and Burroughs High School.
After high school, he started working at Trona Plant, where he became a journeyman Carpenter. Bobby worked there for a couple of years and decided to take his trade on the road. He worked in Ridgecrest and Bakersfield building houses and adventured to Las Vegas, Nevada, to build casinos and houses.
He moved to his home state of Illinois, where he put his carpentry skills to work in Chicago. The opportunity of a partnership to build houses was offered to him, and of course, he jumped at the chance to be his own boss.
He returned home to Ridgecrest in 1989 due to his father’s poor health. For the last working years, he worked as a plumber in Ridgecrest.
He married in 1969 and had three daughters with his first wife. His second marriage gave him another daughter. His 3rd marriage gave him another daughter and one son. He also had one more daughter out of wedlock. In 2002 Bobby married his current wife, Sheila. Bobby spent the last few years with his son Bob in Ridgecrest, CA. Bobby was a diehard fan of the Chicago Bears and lived to fish.
He is survived by his wife Sheila, his daughter Rachel Coyle (and Dale Robertson), DeeDee Lewis (and Toby), Jennifer Mather, Anna Stanphill (and Tonya), Veronica Peyton, Robert V. Peyton, and Michelle Moirra. Sister Annette (and Al) Craver of Inyokern, CA. Brother Charles (and Doris) Peyton of Bakersfield, CA, Sister Nila (and David) Gunn of Ridgecrest. Bobby had 16 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, many stepchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Bobby was preceded in death by his father, mother, and nephew.
Services will be held on May 27, 10 a.m. Ridgecrest Vineyard Church 1000 N. Norma, with the celebration of life to follow.