Charles R. Peck

Charles Russell Peck, 94 of Austin, died Friday April 24, 2015. Ironically, this was granddaughter Kendall's wedding day. Perhaps this was his way of witnessing that event with his beloved Carolyn. He was born in Star, Texas on September 9, 1920 to Joseph Edgar Peck and Freda Francis Bowman Peck. He was raised on various farms and ranches in Mills and San Saba Counties.

After attending one year at Goldthwaite High School, the family moved to a 6,000 acre ranch where Lake Georgetown and Sun City currently are. After graduation from Georgetown High School he entered Southwestern University. Two years of being both a student and a rancher (they had around 3,000 goats), prompted Dad to follow his brother Alson and enlist into the Army Air Corp on June 26, 1941 at Ft. Sam Houston.

On November 30, 1943 he arrived at Bassingbourn, England and joined 91st Bomb Group, 401st Squadron. Serving as a B 17 co-pilot, Dad's first mission was New Year's Eve 1943 to Cognac France. His 35th and last mission was April 29, 1944 on Shoo Shoo Baby to Berlin. Of the thirteen planes that he co-piloted, six crashed and two were so damaged they were forced to land in Sweden. After his discharge November 16, 1945 Dad enrolled at UT Austin. Never graduating from UT, Dad was accepted into UT Dental School in Houston. It was during this time that Dad went on a blind double date with Carolyn Hubbard. Soon they would marry. On November 9, 1949 he re-enlisted into the Air Force. Upon graduation from Dental school in June 1950, he reported to Caswell AFB but was soon transferred to Okinawa Japan when the Korean War started. After his discharge on May 22, 1952, he and Carolyn and Jim settled in Austin, where his father and mother had relocated to. For his military service, Dad received the Air Medal, 3 Oak Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

After a brief 55 year career in dentistry, Dad enjoyed a 10 year retirement. Dad's interests, pursuits, and hobbies were too many to list.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn; his sons Stephen and James; his brothers Ward, Alson, Gerald, and Henry. He is survived by his sister, Celesta Peck Porritt; son, David and wife Kate; daughter-in-law Marty Peck; sister, Celesta Peck Porritt; grandchildren, Kawin, Kendall, and Dustin; great-grandchildren, Jemaya, Jerome, Julian, Rhianon, Sydney, and Jerimiah, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins.

A memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, April 29 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3901Speedway, Austin TX. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank Heartland Health Care for kind and compassionate care.