Peter J. Coode passed away on October 2, 2016, at the age of 60, after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis and lymphoma. His beloved wife of 37 years, Doris, and his two children, Christine (Brent Pace) and Jonathan, survive him, along with his father, George M. Coode, Sr., six siblings and thirteen nieces and nephews.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, he was a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1977, alongside his wife. Peter was never reticent to tell any listeners that the greatest blessing of his life was to have met his “one true love” early in his adult life so that not a moment was wasted searching.

Peter retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2013 after a very successful career. He began his career with another Big 8 firm, and joined Coopers & Lybrand LLP in 1992 as an assurance senior manager in the Knoxville office. He was elected to the PwC partnership in 1995, transferring to Raleigh, North Carolina. He practiced principally in the financial services, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors. Peter spent the last three years of his career in the Charlotte office.

Peter served on numerous not-for-profit boards during his career. He considered his most significant roles to be as President and Treasurer of the Children’s Center of Knoxville, 1989 – 1995, and President and Treasurer of the Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, 1996-2010.

During six years on the board of the Children’s Center of Knoxville, Peter was closely involved in the planning, funding and construction of a new pre-school children’s day care facility, with a mission providing quality and affordable day care to families receiving state assistance. During his term on the Board of the Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, the Board supported the development, funding and construction of the new main museum, completed in 1999. Subsequently, he was instrumental in development of the collaboration with the State Employees Credit Union, whereby the funding and property needed for the $40 million research wing, completed in 2012, was obtained.

Peter was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling to Europe with individual members of his family. He treasured the opportunities to spend quality ‘one on one’ time with his wife, daughter or son on these separate trips. Each trip resulted in a new volume for his collection of personal travel books. After retiring, Peter took up painting and sketching, leaving a small portfolio distributed amongst his many friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to:

The Children’s Center of Knoxville Peter and Doris Coode Restricted Fund 301 Frank Street Knoxville, TN 37919