Richard Peeples
"Dick"
~An Incredible Man~
Our Dad, "Dick" Peeples, passed away April 23, 2008, only 38 days after the passing of his 'Wonderful Lady'DeLone, our Mom. His death was a result of a long battle with Alzheimer's. Dick was born on March 24, 1922, in Salt Lake City the oldest son of Annette Nelson and Samuel C. Peeples. He grew up in the Salt Lake area as a typical kid riding his bike miles for his paper route and chasing down his gas powered model airplanes, one of which is still
missing.
He and his younger brother, Bruce, spent summers as caddies at the Salt Lake Country Club. He earned his Eagle Scout Rank, went on to graduate from East High School near the beginning of World War II and soon thereafter joined the U.S. Marine Corps, leaving behind his Mother, brother, sisters and his new bride and sweetheart Dee, who he married on December 18, 1942. He served for three years in the South Pacific in the battles of New Britain Island, Peleliu Island as well as Okinowa earning a purple heart. He was "the best damned Platoon Sergeant the Marine Corps ever had". Upon his return he was offered a commission to go to OCS in South Carolina, but Dick and Dee soon made the decision to come back to Salt Lake and start their family.
For many years Dick was the owner of Al's Sporting Goods in downtown SLC where he met and developed lifetime friends and associates. He was an avid sportsman, hunter and fisherman, who had unsurpassed knowledge of guns, fishing poles, skis and anything else that was
'sporting'. Dad had ski boats and whenever possible he would take his family and friends on water skiing and boating trips. He was 'Captain Dick' to many and there are hundreds of stories of the 'good times'. For many years Mom and Dad could be found on just about any weekend at the Cottonwood Club either golfing, dining or just socializing and again making lifetime friends. After Al's, Dick spent the next 25 years managing Sporting Goods stores in Salt Lake, Las Vegas and Phoenix. No one could put a retail store together like Dick could and he did that dozens of times over the years. Mom and Dad were fortunate to spend many years in the Scottsdale area until their return to Salt Lake where he retired to spend fun times with his family.
Dick is survived by his two daughters: Diane (Bill) Kamp and Debbie Gaffney. Five grandchildren: Shawn (Tricia) Kamp, Scott (Ke'ara) Kamp, Jason (Jennifer) Kamp, Lisa Gaffney and Mindy (Adam) Hodges. Eleven and 1/2 great-grandchildren: Alexis, Aubrie, Kolton, Emily, Brynlee, Jessica, Makinley, Autumn, Gracie and Kennedy Kamp, Kaleb Gaffney and Baby Hodges due in November. He is also survived by his sister, Pauline (Tom) Haslam, sister-in-law, Theola Hekking, brother-in- law, Nick Verno and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his "doll" Dee, his loving wife of 65 years, his parents, parents-in-law, Al and Vivian Peterson, brother, Bruce and his wife, Virginia, sister, Audrey, brothers-in-law, Tony Hekking, Dick Allen and Wilford Peterson.
A very special thanks to the staff of Good Shepard Hospice: Karen, Sonnie, Candice, Gisela, Robyn and Melissa. Your tender and loving care for Dad over the last several months, helping us with this terrible disease, has been above and beyond!
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 26 at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State St. at 1 p.m. Friends and family are invited to gather one hour prior to share memories and stories. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park following the service.
In memory of Dad's life, a suggested donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association is appreciated.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at
www.jenkins-soffe.com