Obituary of John Emory Peck

November 5, 1936 – Didsbury, Alberta

July 26, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Jack Peck, of Olds, AB, passed away Friday, July 26, 2024, at the age of 87 years.

Jack was born in Didsbury, AB, on November 5, 1936. His family farmed in the Didsbury community until Jack’s father Andrew passed away in 1940. Jack’s mother Evalyn remained in the area until marrying Milton Campbell and resettling in the Hainstock area west of Olds in the early 40s. Jack moved to Banff in 1954 where he started his career with Shell Canada. He returned to Olds in 1958 where he met Lyla Spooner; they were married in 1959 and in June of 1960 their son Darren was born. Subsequent career moves between the years of 1963 and 1972 found them living in Edmonton, Houston, TX, and finally Calgary. Jack and Lyla remained in Calgary until Jack retired from Shell in 1989 at the age of 52. Jack and Lyla moved to Buck Lake, AB, for a period before settling back in the Olds area in the mid-90s where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Jack graduated from Hainstock School in 1954 and joined Shell Canada where he was employed his entire career. He held various positions in oil and gas exploration. He began his career in field seismic eventually moving into data analysis where he played a major role in acquiring and installing the largest mainframe computer in Canada at the time. He retired as the Calgary Data Centre Manager in 1989.

The first few years of Jack's retirement were spent developing property he and Lyla owned near Buck Lake, AB. Jack had a dream to build a log house; so he took a course, bought a truckload of logs, and spent two years with the help of family and friends building his house. Jack and Lyla also pursued their shared passion for horses, spending their summers, penning, horseback square dancing, overnight trail rides, and socializing with fellow enthusiasts.

Upon returning to Olds, Jack assumed a role on the council for Mountainview County for two terms; work he enjoyed very much. During this period Jack and Lyla began their decades-long snowbird journey; travelling to the southern US, often to Falfurrias, TX, where they made several new friends who shared their passion for travel and golf.

Jack will be fondly remembered for his quick wit, generosity, and kindness. He was married to his beautiful Lyla for 62 years and loved his son Darren, his wife Petra, and his two granddaughters, Samantha and Dallas with all his heart.

Jack is survived by his son Darren, daughter-in-law Petra, granddaughter Samantha Peck, granddaughter and husband, Dallas and Corey Shearer all of Calgary. Jack is also survived by his brother Gurdon (Donna) Peck of Spruce Grove, AB, nephew Trevor Peck and family of Edmonton, AB, and nephew Chris Peck and family of Brisbane, Australia.

Jack was predeceased by his wife Lyla Peck, mother Evalyn Campbell, stepfather Milton Campbell, brother William Peck, and father Andrew Peck.

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held at the Olds Royal Canadian Legion #105 (5241 - 46th Street, Olds, AB) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jack’s family here.

In living memory of Jack Peck, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.