Sean Neal Peters, age 55, of Lithia, Florida passed away on Sunday February 13, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.  Sean is survived by his devoted wife, Rita, his son Luke and his daughter Mia, sister Audra Lona of Chicago, sister Sarah Castle of Tuscon, brother James Bishop (Lydea) of Kansas City, sister Wanda McKenzie (Shaun) of Blue Springs.  He will also be missed by his extended family mother-in-law Angela Pavan, Nico (Laura) Pavan, Lia (Steve) Crawford and nieces and nephews: Nicole Crawford, Julia Crawford, Dino Pavan, Austin Pavan, Steven Horner, Chris Horner, Ashley Horner, Alex Bishop, Tanner Parke, Rylan Bishop, Lynsie Bishop, Callie Bishop, Nicholas Asmussen, and Austin Asmussen, Stephanie Kraft and numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Barger and his father James Bishop, his father-in-law Dino Pavan, and his beloved grandparents Joseph and Lily Keys (Pa Joe and Ma Lily).

Sean was born in California but moved to Tampa at a young age.  He resided in both Missouri and North Carolina but ultimately returned to Tampa to live with his grandparents.  Sean graduated from Hillsborough High school in 1984 and enrolled at Troy (then Troy State) University in Troy, Alabama.  He pledged the Sigma Chi fraternity and was very active in his chapter.  That bond continued his whole life, and he proudly and often said all these brothers were his family.

Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Sean returned to Tampa where he became a deputy sheriff in Hillsborough County, proudly serving the citizens of this community for 26 ½ years.  While at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Sean was "first man in" on the SWAT team for almost a decade.  His fellow SWAT members were like family to him.

Sean proudly worked as a patrol deputy, property detective, career criminal detective, warrants, school resource and was a field training officer.  He retired as a Sergeant in 2015 but remained a reserve deputy in the aviation unit until 2017.

Shortly thereafter, he became a high school teacher at Newsome High School, teaching Criminal Justice.  Sean loved teaching and loved his students.  He supported them in all their extracurricular activities.  His favorite saying to his "kids" was "you will forever be my students and I will forever be your teacher."

Sean enjoyed the beach with family and exploring things to do in Florida.  He was an avid golf enthusiast who often took to the greens to relax.   He took part and helped plan the Eta Phi chapter of Sigma Chi's annual golf tournament and often returned to Troy to take part in fraternity activities. Sean enjoyed any activity that got him outdoors.  He enjoyed watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his wife's favorite team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

He had an infectious smile, a servant's heart and a loving personality.  Sean never met a stranger and loved telling everyone "Don't threaten me with a good time." And he always had a good time. But Sean's heart belonged to his family.  He met his soulmate, Rita, in 2000, and they married in 2002. He was a proud dad to Luke ("My Son") and Mia ("My Pumpkin") supporting them in anything and everything they did.  He was a little league baseball coach, a tennis cheerleader and an FFA dad.

Sean called Fishhawk Fellowship Church home and became a known face and volunteer.  He was a Christian and would often say that we can't just have an earthly perspective because there was so much more beyond this life.

Sean was courageous and protective, but ultimately in 2021, Sean learned that the monster that took his grandfather and his father was going to take him.  In May 2021 Sean was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease) and fought valiantly against this illness and is now at peace in the lord's loving embrace.

Please join the family in honoring Sean.  Arrangements have been made through Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory and Fishhawk Fellowship Church.  The family will receive visitation on Saturday February 19, 2022, at 4:00 pm at Fishhawk Fellowship Church, 15326 Fishhawk Blvd, Lithia, FL with a memorial service following at 5pm.  Immediately following the service guests are invited to convene at the Talking Pint 13418 Boyette Rd, Riverview, FL to celebrate a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hands to Love, www.handstolove.org in his name.