Scott Irving Peek, Sr.

Scott I. Peek, born January 5, 1927, died on November 10, 2020, peacefully in his sleep, his near 94 years of age finally overcoming his engaging spirit. Known by various relatives and friends as Scotty, Dad, Dude, Daddio, Pa, Grampy, Uncle Scotty or Uncle Scott, Bird Legs, and Papa Peek, Scott was the Ultimate Provider and People Person. Even to the end, he was always looking to support his family and friends in any way he could.

Survivors include Lillian, his wife of 65+ years; children Cathy Peek McEwen, Nancy Peek McGowan and husband Ted, Scott I. “Skipper” Peek, Jr. and wife Deidre, Rosemary Peek, and William R. “Billy” Peek and wife Stacy; grandchildren Matthew McGowan, Michael McGowan and wife Ali, Anne Marie McGowan Corpora and husband Louis, Austin McGowan, Mary McGowan, Ali Peek Wilbur and husband Eric, Jacquelyn Peek Gidel and husband Rob, Scott I. Peek, III and wife Melissa, Gabrielle Peek McFadden and husband Nick, James Peek, Dede Peek, Danny Peek, George F. Peek, II, William R. “Bo” Peek, Jr. and girlfriend Grace Robinson, Christina Peek, and Robbie Peek; and great grandchildren Kennedy McFadden, Nicholas “Bubba” McFadden, William McFadden, Robert “Tre” Gidel, III, Hadley Wilbur, Hayden Wilbur, Alexandra Wilbur, Emerson Wilbur, John Michael McGowan, Charlie McGowan, Kai Peek, and Lilliana Peek; longtime caregiver (a/k/a fourth son) Smith Cherelus; and special sister-in-law Ida Barretto Guinta. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and long-time friends who have fond memories of the gregarious Scotty.

He was predeceased and welcomed with open arms by son George Francis Peek, parents Naomi and Robert Gordon Peek, and six older siblings Collins, Will Frank, Jeannette, Elizabeth, and Josephine and Joe.

Scotty was born and grew up in Jacksonville, Fla. He was the youngest of seven born to poor sharecroppers who grew watermelons, oranges, and grapefruit and raised chickens, ducks, and geese. His father later ran a filling station for a bit and during WWII worked in the local shipyard. Growing up, Scotty always worked, starting at the age of nine on a paper route with his father from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Scotty’s responsibility was to buy the family’s bread (at eight cents a loaf). He was graduated from Landon High School in 1945, earning All-State status in football, basketball, and track. He was recruited by several colleges (including Georgia for football and North Carolina and Notre Dame for basketball) but eventually accepted a track scholarship at the University of Florida. But right out of high school, Scotty served a stint in the U.S. Merchant Marines, making three cross-Atlantic trips to Germany during World War II.

Scotty started college in 1945 at the University of Florida, but interrupted his college education for a two-year tour in the U.S. Army from 1946-1948, serving as a supply sergeant, drill instructor, and counterintelligence officer (and playing on the General’s baseball team) before returning to UF. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education, health, and recreation from UF in 1952. He was a three-year varsity letterman in both football and track (and still holds two track records for sprints on the curve). He was a member of the Golden Era Gators, a group of football players from roughly 1945-1952, who at one point suffered 13 consecutive losses and who remained friends all their lives and influenced our state’s greatness. Son Skipper and his son Scott III also played for the UF football team. The Peek family is one of only three Gator families who have had three generations of scholarship football athletes and is likely the only one with the three generations sharing the same name.

Upon finishing college, Scotty went to work for U.S. Senator George A. Smathers after having campaigned for the Senator at UF. Scotty spent more than a decade in Washington, D.C., eventually being promoted to Senator Smathers’ Administrative Assistant or “A.A.” (today’s equivalent of a Senator’s Chief of Staff) and serving as executive director of the Kennedy/Johnson Presidential Campaign Committee for 13 southern states. Some referred to him as Florida’s Third Senator because of his connections, influence, and considerable networking and relationship-building skills. He was a founder and first chairman of the Quorum Club, now known as the 116 Club, an exclusive club on Capitol Hill frequented by Members of Congress, staffers, and lobbyists. It was on the Hill that Scotty met sweet, beautiful Lillian Barretto, who worked for another Senator. She became the love of his life and mother of his six children. Together they exemplified perfect spousal love and family devotion.

Senator Smathers’ son Bruce Smathers, a former Florida Secretary of State, credited Scotty with helping to make his father so successful as a Congressional leader and advisor to Presidents. “Scotty was my father’s right arm . . . his eyes and his ears, who always was on top of every issue and every matter of importance,” he said. “Scotty was always the one who understood everything and kept my father and his family on the right path. If there was ever a question or a problem, my mother would call Scotty for an answer. He was part of our family.”

Senator Bill Nelson, once an intern on Scotty’s staff, likewise complimented Scotty’s capabilities. "For over a half century I have known Scott Peek as a friend, an advisor and as a ‘can do’ person in the public arena. When I served as a college intern in Senator Smathers’ office, I marveled at his skill as a ‘mover and shaker’ as the Senator’s right hand,” he said. “Many years later that same skill was used for the University of Florida. I am one of multitudes who have been the beneficiary of his friendship."

One of Scotty’s proudest memories in politics was accompanying Vice President Lyndon Johnson to St. Augustine for the 400th anniversary celebration of America’s oldest city, during the Civil Rights movement. His job was to help bridge a rift between leaders of the local NAACP chapter, who were threatening to picket the celebration, and city leaders. He asked the NAACP leaders what they wanted. Among other things, they wanted a table at the celebratory dinner, and up front. Scotty made it happen with not one but two tables. Scotty and Lillian sat at the only integrated table at the dinner.

Faced with the challenge of supporting a big family on a government salary, Scotty moved everyone to Miami to go to work in the private sector at his own public relations firm, The ScoPe Co., which counted among its clients the start-up Miami Dolphins. From there, the family settled in Tampa in 1970. In Tampa, Scotty worked in various information technology or interactive technology, consulting, and real estate businesses.

The rest of his work life, until he was near 90, was spent serving his beloved Gator Nation. He spent several decades in various capacities for the UF Foundation, including Director of Regional Development for the South Florida region, Director for Development for the College of Engineering, and Director of Development for Major Gifts. On the basis of his lifetime devotion to UF, he was honored by three UF Presidents for his distinguished service. He was also welcomed as a member of Florida Blue Key. Even to the end he spoke of the need to raise more money for UF. In 2017, he mused that he wanted to do more for UF. When asked why he doesn’t just sit back and enjoy retirement, he said, “It’s hard for me to let it go. Like a newborn, I want to keep cuddling it.”

Scotty’s sweet, big heart loved, in order: Jesus, Lillian, his children, grands, great grands, and extended family (including his children’s friends), his friends, the Gators, and our country. (He is no doubt thrilled that Gator Coach Dan Mullen tweeted about him on Nov. 11th.)

As the outpouring of sentiments from family and friends in recent days attests, he was a hard-working man with a fun sense of humor and who was wholeheartedly devoted to his family and friends and delighted to be of service to them. Indeed, his greatest gift was his other-centeredness, meaning concern for others and how he could help them or provide for them, especially his immediate family. He had a gift of recognizing anyone he met — recognizing not just their face, but their “being.” He remembered names of most everyone he met, even at the end when his memory was challenged. All his life, he was never dismissive or indifferent to anyone, including people that most of us take for granted, folks like barbers, nurses, cashiers at Publix, and wait staff at restaurants. He wanted to know their backstories. This gift, his natural and genuine care for others, was a big reason he was so well liked by all. That he held on at the end like a cat with nine lives (defeating colon cancer at age 89, shingles, pneumonia, and other old-age maladies) demonstrated his desire to provide support for Lillian and the rest of his family. He always asked if he could do something for you; examples of his standard commodities were “let me make some calls for you, let me put you in touch with [his connection to your mission], need any money?, let me buy dinner, let me make some calls and help you get that job.” He even bought lottery tickets so he could hit the jackpot and, he said, “spread it around but first give to the church.” “Scotty was a phenomenon, one of those rare people you can always count on for good advice, wise counsel, encouragement, and anything else you needed,” said Dr. John V. Lombardi, UF President Emeritus. One granddaughter described Scotty as “one of the most selfless examples of a human I’ve ever met. The definition of a Godly man.”

Scotty’s legacy lives on in his big family. As long as there are Peeks roaming the earth, you will see his big smile, kindness, and giving, supportive spirit in them. A frequent visiting nurse summed up Scotty this way: “He truly was an amazing gentleman, not only emotionally and physically and intellectually, but most of all as a warm and loving father. His having raised such a truly kind and dedicated family is the sign of a GREAT man!”

One of Scotty’s favorite phrases was “don’t rush the monkey and you’ll get a better show.” He was in no rush to leave his family and friends and gave us a great show, but we are confident he is exactly where he wants to be now, with Jesus.

The family thanks Smith (“Smitty” or “Bob” or “My Friend” — depending on what Scotty wanted to call him that day) for the constant TLC he gave Scotty the last four years. Smith is truly an angel in the guise of a caregiver. The family also thanks Aegean Home Health Care for allowing Smith to be by Scotty’s side and for the other superb caregivers who subbed in when Smith took a rare day off.

The family will greet visitors and pray together on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33609, from 3-4:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held Monday, November 16, 2020, at Christ the King at 10 a.m. A reception will follow in the parish’s McLoughlin Center. There will be social distancing, and masks are suggested. The Mass will also be live streamed at https://vimeo.com/478102207. Whether attending in church or virtually, Scotty would be pleased if you wore something orange and/or blue.

Donations may be made in Scotty’s memory to the Scott I. Peek Florida Opportunity Scholarship Endowment (Fund 017659), UF Foundation, Inc., PO Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-9949. Ever the provider, even to strangers, Scotty was passionate about his endowment’s purpose: to provide scholarships for first-generation college students.