Joseph Howard Peck

Joseph (Joe) Howard Peck, born December 1, 1943, in Ashland, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of October 4, 2024, at the age of 80, surrounded by his loved ones.  Son of George and Ethylene Peck, Joe was the seventh of their eleven children.  In 1946, his parents were moving the family back to California when their car broke down in Tucson.  While it was being repaired, they decided that Tucson would be a good place to live and raise their family, so they stayed and put down roots.  His childhood was spent working on the many projects his dad devised, attending weekly church services, and making mischief with his eight brothers and two sisters in the desert around their house on Mission Road.

In 1965, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Joanne, and they shared a beautiful 59-year marriage. Together, they raised three children: Brian (wife Amy), Kerry, and Jessica. Joe was also a proud grandfather to Jarod, Mason, and Dillon.  Brought up in the Christian faith, Joe led his wife to the Lord and taught his family the importance of living a God-centered life. His greatest legacy was teaching his kids and grandchildren the message of the gospel.

Joe graduated from the University of Arizona, majoring in accounting, and loved to cheer on the Wildcats.  After working as an accountant for six years, Joe and his brothers Tom and John decided to start their own construction company.  He worked in partnership with his brother John as a general contractor for more than 30 years.  He had a natural talent for working with numbers and took great interest in understanding the world of investing.  In retirement, Joe was active in his church and a longtime volunteer at the Gospel Rescue Mission.  He also enjoyed traveling with Joanne and his family.

A loving and affectionate husband, father, and grandfather, Joe was a calm and steady presence for his family and those around him.  Proud of the home he built with his brothers near the foothills of Pusch Ridge in the Catalina Mountains, he spent much of his time outdoors, carefully looking after his koi fishpond and devoting himself to the upkeep of the yard.  The backyard became a gathering place for family get-togethers and an oasis where they could enjoy frequent encounters with desert wildlife.  These included several litters of bobcat kittens born in the treehouse he had built, owls and hawks nesting in the eucalyptus trees, and many other critters drawn to the pond.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne, children, and grandchildren, as well as many siblings, extended family, and friends who were blessed by his love and wisdom.  His gentle nature, dry wit, charming smile, and steadfast faith and love will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of Joe's life will be held at Adair Funeral Home, 8090 N. Northern Ave., Oro Valley, AZ 85704, on Saturday, November 2nd at 10:00 A.M. with a reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Gospel Rescue Mission.