Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Peck, George |
Othernames |
Geroge B. Peck Jr. |
Born |
Oct. 14, 1918 |
Birthplace |
Denver, Colorado |
Places of residence |
George B. Peck, Jr., 93, of Estes Park, passed away in his sleep and in his favorite recliner at home on Oct. 31, 2011. He was born in Denver Oct. 14, 1918, and lived in Loveland until the 7th grade, at which time his parents, George and Hazel Peck, moved to Estes Park. During the years leading up to his graduation, he was active in all sports and the Marching Band as well as being an avid skier. George attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs after graduation from Estes Park High School. During his four years at C.C. he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, Red Lantern Club (senior men's honorary society), a member of the track team, the Inter-Fraternity Council, president and captain of the ski team. He received Civilian Pilot Training and earned a Private Pilots License during his senior year. He was the recipient of a Trustee Scholarship for two years and a Rotary Award for one year and graduated with a B.A. in economics in 1941. After graduation, October of 1941, George enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps and served for four years as a carrier pilot with dive bombers and attained the rank of full lieutenant. While in the service, George married his high school sweetheart, Mary Naomi Stith, on Aug. 17, 1942, in Norfolk, Va. George and Naomi welcomed their first son, George B. (Skip) Peck, III, December of 1943 in Jacksonville, Fla. Upon being discharged from the Navy, Peck returned to Estes Park and was the assistant manager of Williamson's Toggery. During this time period, George and Naomi welcomed their second son, Gerald (Jerry). In 1951, George was appointed as postmaster at the Estes Park Post Office and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1973. In October of 1965, George and Naomi lost their son, Jerry, in an automobile accident near Loveland. During the years while serving as postmaster, he was a member of the Loveland Elks Lodge and the Larimer County 40/8, a past commander of the Estes Park American Legion, past president of the Estes Park Winter Sports Club, on the board of directors of the Southern Rocky Mtn. Ski Association and a former Explorer Scout leader. He also served as the chairman of the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce Winter Sports Committee in the early 1950s. During this period he wrote the prospectus for the development of the Hidden Valley Ski Area. After George's retirement, he maintained his membership in the Estes Park Men's Golf Association and was an enthusiastic golfer during the summer months. During the winter months George and Naomi enjoyed traveling down the West Coast in their motorhome. George got to also enjoy his real passion, fishing, during these trips. They would winter for three to four months in Port Orford, Ore., where he could fish the Elk River for salmon and attained the nickname "Big Fish George" around the park and town. The 20-some years of doing this trip came to a conclusion shortly after Naomi's death in 1997. A few years after Naomi's death, George was fortunate to meet Emily Rombach. The two enjoyed dining with friends and being able to dance the night away at the American Legion Friday Night Dances. George felt the loss of Emily, when she died in September of 2010. He continued to have his morning coffee with friends on a daily basis. In late July, when returning home, he suffered a fall and broke his hip. George managed to make remarkable improvement and he again began living unassisted in his own home. He was quite active around his house right up to his recent death. He was preceded in death by his wife Naomi, son Jerry and friend Emily. He is survived by his son, Skip and wife Janice (Grand Lake), granddaughters Christine Frank, husband Mark and great-granddaughter Kendle and great-grandsons Josh (Parker, Colo.) and Traci Zepeda and husband Cruz (Phoenix, Ariz.) and grandson Richard and wife Wendy Schliep and great-grandson Tyler and great-granddaughters Brooke and Hailey (Arvada, Colo.). |
Titles & honors |
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy |
Father |
George Peck |
Mother |
Hazel Peck |
Education |
Estes Park High School, Estes Park B.A. Economics, Colorado College, Colorado Springs |
Occupation |
U.S. Naval Air Corps, carrier pilot Williamson's Toggery, Assistant Manager Estes Park Post Office, Postmaster Loveland Elks Lodge Larimer County 40/8 Estes Park American Legion Estes Park Winter Sports Club Souther Rocky Mountain Ski Association Estes Park Chamber of Commerce Winter Sports Committee Estes Park Men's Golf Association |
Publications |
N/A |
Spouse |
Mary Naomi Stith |
Children |
George B. (Skip) Peck, III Gerald (Jerry) Peck |
Related Records
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2006.013.456 - print, photographic
Four men seated at small square table playing cards. On the far right is George Peck. Photo taken in conjunction with the Colorado Festival, 1954. Marks: On reverse in pencil "R - Geo Peck." Black and white, glossy, white border.
Record Type: Photo
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2014.036.1667 - Photograph
Photograph from Estes Park Trail-Gazette of George Peck
Record Type: Photo
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2014.036.1668 - Photograph
Photograph from Estes Park Trail-Gazette of George Peck
Record Type: Photo
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2014.036.1669 - Photograph
Photograph from Estes Park Trail-Gazette of George Peck
Record Type: Photo
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2014.036.1670 - Photograph
Photograph from Estes Park Trail-Gazette of George Peck
Record Type: Photo
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2014.036.1671 - Photograph
Photograph from Estes Park Trail-Gazette of George Peck
Record Type: Photo
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R2006.012.035 - Disc, Compact
CD made from cassette tape. Interviewee: George and Naomi Peck Title: Interview Length: 40:43 Note: early date refers to original recording Late date refers to new transferral
Record Type: Object