December 9, 1920 In a small farm house in Erwin, Mo., Guy Edward Peck was born to Daisy and Guy Columbus Peck. We are all sure he came into this world noisy and with a mind of his own. With that being said, in the fourth grade he jumped out of the school house window and never went back. He instead enrolled in the ‘school of common sense and hard work’ which served him with the best education one can get. He went to work to help support his family through the depression years.
He met Esther W. Horstman, courted and married her on Nov. 18, 1939. Over the course of 18 years they had 7 children, Robert, Judith Ann who died as an infant, Elaine, Harold, Barbara, Peggy and Lenora. In 1946 they moved to Springfield and Guy needed a job. He answered an ad for a service station at Walnut and Grant. The day he went to work for Laura T. Collier was a day that sent him on his career path. Ms. Collier took him under her wing and taught him how to run a business. He in turn helped to grow her business, later becoming her partner. As they both would tell you if they were here, they worked together exactly 10 years and 15 days. With Ms. Collier’s blessing Guy and Esther purchased the property at 400 W. Kearney and started Peck’s Sinclair Service. They started renting trailers and with the help of their eldest son Robert, realized early on that everyone in the Ozarks needed a good trailer hitch. He officially retired in 1989 and his son Harold carries on his legacy.
In 1957 they bought their farm where they finished raising the kids and a host of critters over the years. Esther died in 1985 and for some time Guy had a difficult time finding his way. And then a wonderful thing happened. Guy and Dixie Noland, a longtime friend of the family ‘discovered’ one another and married July 12, 1981. It took a special person to ‘put up’ with The Old Man, but she did it for over 22 years. And best of all, she did it with love. He made his peace with his Maker several years ago and enjoyed discussing the bible.
The Old Man had his share of heartbreak in his 93 years. In addition to Esther, his baby daughter and his siblings, he also lost 2 grandchildren, Patricia and James, as well as 2 sons-in-law, James and Kerry. He loved them all. He left quite a legacy with 23 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and 31 great-great grandchildren.
Please join us for visitation Thursday, March 20 from 5 to 7 at Greenlawn North. Graveside services will be at the Bluff Cemetery, Sheldon, Mo. Friday at 1:30. Because of his great love for animals memorials may be made to C.A.R.E., 2012 W. Garton Road Ozark, MO 65721.