Peck, Darrell James (1931-2018)

PECK, ALDRICH, ECKHARDT, JOHNSON, HARDER, STILLE, KNOTT, GROTHEN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/5/2018 at 19:19:54

Darrell James Peck
December 11, 1931 - May 26, 2018

Darrell James Peck, age 86, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at his home in Storm Lake.

Darrell, a son of Frank and Edna (Aldrich) Peck, was born on December 11, 1931, in Oakland, Iowa. Baptized on December 8, 1940, at the Church of Christ in Oakland, Darrell attended school in Avoca, graduating from Avoca High School in 1949. On September 24, 1952, he married Betty Ann Eckhardt in Hastings, Nebraska. Subsequently, they were blessed with two children: Kimberly Ann and Martin Robert.

On April 2, 1952, Darrell enlisted in the United States Army. For his service to his country, he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Occupational Medal. Honorably discharged on March 18, 1954, he enrolled at Hastings College. After graduating in 1957, he furthered his education at the University of Nebraska where he earned a Ph.D. in English.

For thirty-five years, Darrell labored as a Professor of English at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. He, also, served as the Athletic Director at Buena Vista University. The President of the NCAA Division III of Iowa for many years, he, also, received the Wythe Award at Buena Vista University. Then, in 1973, received the Outstanding Educators of America Award and served as the Graduate Marshall at the Buena Vista Ceremonies.

Darrell loved to travel and was fortunate to see most of the world. Of all the places he had visited, he liked Hawaii the most. He'd ventured there seven times. Moreover, he had owned and operated Gateway School of Message Therapy with his sister, Joan, after retiring from BV. In addition, he volunteered for years at Mercy Medical Center while living in Sioux City, an experience he really enjoyed.

Darrell treasured his family and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Kim Johnson, of Albert City, Iowa, and Marty (Tammy) Peck, of Storm Lake, Iowa; his grandchildren: Kassi (Peter) Harder, Rachel (Lee) Goll, Tori (Austin) Stille, and Madison (Michael Black) and Mason Peck; his great grandchildren: Maci and Brooklyn Harder and Sarah and Rylee Goll; his sister, Joan (Donnie) Knott, of Olathe, Kansas; and his sisters-in-law, Donna (Eldon) Grothen and Nadine Peck; as well as nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Edna Peck; his wife, Betty Peck; his brothers, Gerald and Donald Peck; and his son-in-law, Brad Johnson.

Memorial Services are pending at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Storm Lake, Iowa, 2018.

Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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