Memories of Uncle Buddy

From Katherine Powell:

I remember Uncle Buddy as a kind man with a contagious smile. Back
in the 1960s and 70s, the great aunts and uncles and second cousins
would gather at my parents' home on Christmas afternoon, where my
mother, Gloria, served a dessert buffet. Aunt Nell and Fred, Imy and
Everett (Grammy and Gramps, to me), Aunt Sissy and Uncle Lindsay,
Aunt Tat and Uncle Jim, Aunt June and Uncle Joel, Uncle Buddy and
Aunt Weasy--Bill and David and their families (I remember being about
eight when beautiful little Melody was born), Joy and (later) Curtis,
Ricky and Bobby and their families, Diane and (later) "Mr. Right,"
Cathy Nell and Linda and Jody Schnitz, Dale Carse (Patsy and Gary
were in Germany most of that time, I think), my father--Everett--and
his brother John . . . Whew! The house was full of interesting
conversations: people catching up on each other's lives, stories
about Grandaddy Peck and the house on Elizabeth Street (where my dad
was born).

I now realize that in my earliest memories of Uncle Buddy he was
exactly the age that I am now! I recall dropping in to see him at
the old Sears store downtown. He'd always ask about school and my
music, and he'd smile at my responses, taking a genuine interest in
me. At the Christmas gathering, sometimes two of the sisters would
bring mincemeat pies, each forgetting (?) that the other usually made
one. Uncle Buddy would take a piece of each and say "Mmmm mmm!
These are two of the best mincemeat pies I've ever had!" He'd tell
me stories about my dad when he was a little boy, confirming that
yes, the women put newborn Baby Everett in a warmed oven (turned off
and with the door open) to keep him warm.

Through the years, Uncle Buddy always sent me a card at Christmas and
Easter. I was reminded of his love for Christ, which I share, by the
Bible scriptures that always appeared on the cards. When he and Aunt
Weasy and her sister came to visit us in San Francisco, we had a
delightful time. Talking to Uncle Buddy on the phone was always a
kick. Afterwards, Dad and I would break out in huge grins, marveling
at the Peck spirit that shone through in the way he warmly and
enthusiastically embraced life.

Memories of Gramps

From Sonny Dodson:
"I remember floating down the frio river, with gramps and mamaw... when the wind would blow, gramps comb-over would flap in the breeze like a waving flag... other than that I remember what a fun person he was to be around, always quick with a bit of humor. David got your personality from your dad... never a dull moment!!!"

From Janet Peck Williams (taken from her blog written on Mar 1st...warning...this is a tear jerker!):
Sweet Gramps went to heaven this morning around 5:15. My dad was with him and said that he passed quietly and peacefully. I can't imagine any better way for such a great man.

Franklin and Buddy were names that people called him most but to me he was just Gramps. He loved to chat with everyone and was full of life. Most people as they get older slow down and spend more time at home. Gramps however was always active and busy doing things at the senior citzen center and delivering meals on wheels. Even after he lost mamaw, the love of his life, he still continued to live life to the fullest. He was a devout baptist but did learn to dance! shhhh..don't tell anyone. Although as my sister said he is probably dancing around in heaven today. Of course my fondest memories of him are as a child and going to visit and collecting pine cones and playing in the hammock in the backyard. Over the last years those closest too him missed this man who was always social and active. However, every now and then a glimpse of him would come shining through even though his body was tired and frail and his mind not quite complete. I remember going and visiting him once and him singing away to karoke. It is quite a sight to see a 90 year old man who can barely keep his eyes open come to life with a little karoke.

My sister started a blog for him and it was fun to keep up to date with everyone's visits. I don't know if Gramps every surfed the web and probably would have been amazed at it or that he had a blog for that matter. In his day he was such a social butterfly that had Facebook existed when he was younger he would have had 1000 friends. The people who cared for him at his new house loved and cared for him a great deal. Even though the gramps we once knew was not totally present the ladies that cared for him never knew the difference and I believe were blessed each day they cared for him.

So, as a family this day comes with mixed emotions. On one hand there is sadness for losing someone so dear and on the other hand there is relief that he no longer has to suffer in such a frail and failing body and mind. We can only hope that when our day comes to go to heaven that those that love and care for us will feel the same. Dance around sweet gramps. We will miss you here but have been left with awesome memories that we can never forget.

Goodbye Gramps

Thanks to all who attended Gramps' service. It was a wonderful ceremony.
BIG HUGE thanks to Lori and Craig for putting together the dvd montage of Gramps' life...it was amazing. I wish there was some way to put it here on the blog, but I think the file would be too big. It's possible that I may be able to upload it to youtube for those of you who missed it. It was really something else!!

I'm including a few pictures here of the graveside service and some family pics. There are over 200 that were taken in the span of those few days. So, here's the link to all of the pictures if you would like to see them or order copies for yourself...CLICK HERE.
To see any of the pics larger, just click on the picture!



A few shots from the lunch after the funeral





Pictures of Peck Family Gathering








Lastly, I would like to end this blog by including a few posts from anyone wanting to share a personal memory of Gramps or Uncle Buddy. Please email me directly and I will just cut and paste your text to this blog. Also, if you have any special pictures that you would like to share, send those to me as well.

It has been a joy of mine to keep this blog. I already miss just driving up the road to see Gramps. I spent more time with him during the last 10 months than I had in probably the last 38 years of my life. It was so special to me to have him so close during these last months. I hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as I have enjoyed posting it.

Send me your memories!! DNMEL@CHARTER.NET
~Melody

Funeral Details

Our Gramps passed away peacefully this morning around 5:15 am. Dave-O, Miriam and Daniel were all by his side. They sang to him and Dave-O read Psalm 23.

Visitation 6-8 pm Tuesday March 3
Funeral 10 am Wednesday March 4

Both will take place at:
Lloyd James Funeral Home
1011 East First Street
Tyler, TX 75701
903-597-6611

Peck family is staying at the Hampton Inn on Troupe Hwy.

If you need more info, call
David 972-841-9237
Bill 214-893-6445

Thanks to all for your love, support and prayers, especially over the last two weeks. We all knew this day was coming, but it is still hard, nonetheless. We will miss our Grampsie so much.

Sunday 2/22/09

I took the kids to see Gramps on Sunday. Mason is singing in a musical in two weeks, so we took the CD and Mason sang his Willy Wonka songs for Gramps.

As many of you already know, Gramps has been getting weaker and weaker. So, I was afraid he would be asleep when we got there. When we arrived, he was sleeping in the chair in his room, but I was able to wake him up easily and he stayed awake the whole time we were there.

All the kids gave him hugs and kisses and Mason sang his songs. Gramps didn't talk much, but I think he knew who we were. He doesn't have his teeth in for these pictures, so that always makes his face look shallow. Otherwise his color is good, but you can tell he is getting tired. He didn't hardly move the whole time we were there.

The kids went to sing the songs for Goldie and Mildred in the other room and I sat with Gramps for a while holding his hand and telling him how much I loved him. His clear blue eyes just stared back at me. It was a good and peaceful moment.
~Melody

Here are a few pictures...

Dermatologist Visit 1/22/09

Yesterday, Dave-O and I took Gramps to the dermatologist b/c a few growths had popped up on his head and behind his ear. It was a beautiful day here and I took some pics...just wanted to share handsome Gramps!
FYI...the dermatologist thinks these growths are probably sebaceous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer). He took biopies of both growths and test results will be in next week. More than likely, he will have to have these removed by a specialist b/c they can grow pretty fast and destroy tissue in the process. We'll just wait and see what the biopsy says...
Dave-O pushing Gramps to the car outside of his home




I took these while we were waiting in the lobby...he's just so cute!

Visit January 20

Wow! Can't believe it's the downhill of January already! It had been forever since I had been to see Gramps, so I headed over there today after lunch. Erica told me he had been up all night (I think Dad said they were adjusting his meds to fix this), so he was asleep. He was "watching" the inauguration on TV in his room. Erica sat him up and we tried to keep him awake by chatting, but he was pretty out of it. I brought along a guitar and played for about 30 minutes (I use the term "played" very lightly!!). I did snap a few photos, but not much to report. Maybe next week...
--Melody
Gramps alseep....zzzzz

Me playing the three chords that I know...

When I said goodbye, he opened those blue eyes and gave me a little smile :)