Ronald Peck

Ronald Fredrick Peck was born July 24, 1923 in the family home at the base of the foothills north of Carey, Idaho, known as Fishcreek. 91 years and 10 months later on May 11, 2015, he passed away in his current home located on the same section of land. Ronald was the middle child of 9 born to Justin Rudolphus Peck and Anna Magdalena Dieterle Peck.

Ronald spent his youth working, playing and attending school in the Carey valley. His first memories are of his two room log cabin home and the one room Austin School. When Austin School was consolidated with Carey schools, he and his siblings bussed the 7 miles into Carey in a homemade wooden building on the back of a truck – Carey’s first school bus. There seemed to be a high teacher and coach turnover rate, but Ronald enjoyed participating in whatever activity was offered. He was in scouts, boxed, played 6 man football, ran track and played in the band. He would have liked to play basketball but chores at home took precedence.

After high school, he joined the Navy and was a sonar operator on a number of ships leading convoys across the Pacific and performing rescue missions.

Once honorably discharged, he attended the University of Idaho and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He was a member and president of Phi Mu Sinfonia. He began his teaching career in Carey in 1950, teaching band, choir and history. In 1952 he was called to an LDS teaching mission to the Tongan Islands, where he developed a music program at the Liahona School.

At the end of his mission, he was offered a contract with the Blaine County School District and returned to Carey to teach for the next 30 years.
Ronald once said he had an education to get, a mission to fulfill and a war to win before he could settle down, and at age 32 he married his sweetheart, Wanda Louise Payne, in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. They purchased Ronald’s father’s farm and raised hay, grain and beef cattle in addition to his teaching job and continued the farming operation into “retirement”.

Ronald was a willing participant in all community events. He always made sure there was a band in the July 24th parade. He accepted many callings in the LDS church. He was a Scoutmaster, active in the National Music Association and spent many years as a member of the Idaho Music Educators Association. In 2006 Ronald was inducted into the IMEA Hall of Fame.

Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Leon Peck, Mauretta Ralls, Alma Peck, Bernice Croft, Ross Peck and Max Peck and his oldest son, Fredrick Allen Peck.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wanda, his sons Thomas (Brenda) Peck, Roger (Rebecca) Peck, John (Heidi) Peck, all of Carey, Kendall (Kari) Peck of Rexburg and Layne (Kendra) Peck of Idaho Falls, his daughter Lynne(Steve) Schuyler of Kimberly, 24 grandchildren and 10+ great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Louis Peck, of Twin Falls and sister, Erma Adamson, of Carey.

Ronald felt he lived in the best of times. He lived through travel in an iron wheeled wagon to rockets traveling into space. Ronald was an example of honesty, integrity and all things good. He loved the simple things in life, mornings, wiener roasts, bread and milk, attending church and all Carey school activities. He was hard working, selfless and eager to help in any way to ensure the dreams of the ones he loved came true. An unfaltering member of the greatest generation.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Carey LDS Church with viewing and visitation from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Interment to follow services at the Carey Cemetery.