Donald Morgan Peek

Donald M. Peek lived a joyful life. On August 25th, 2021, Donald went home to be with the Lord. Donald was born on June 16, 1926 in Seattle. He lived almost all his life, in the primary residence he built, within a block of the house where he was raised. He loved his family and spent his life working and vacationing with them. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Virginia Stenson Peek; his parents Loyd and Margaret (Morgan) Peek; his brother and sister-in-law Douglas and Marilyn Peek; his other brother and sister-in-law Robert and Geraldine Peek; his brother-in-law C.E (Robbie) Robertson and many well-loved pets. His smile, twinkling eye and his kind and compassionate ways will be missed by many he encountered in his 95 years.

Donald began his education at Maple Leaf Elementary in 1933. As Don was preparing to graduate from Lincoln High School, he instead in 1944, joined the Navy before his 18th birthday. Upon his return in 1946, Don pursued a degree in Business from the University of Washington and pledged Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) from 1946 to 1951. During his time at the UW, Don met and pursued the love of his life, Virginia Stenson. They married in 1949. In 1953, Don, Virginia and their first two children, Steven and David, took the adventure of a lifetime. Don went to work for the Onamea Sugar Co. in Hilo, Hawaii. Their two years in Hawaii created a lifelong love for the islands. Until the very end, one never had to look much further than his refrigerator for a pitcher of Hawaiian guava juice. After the birth of James, their third son, Don and Virginia returned to Seattle and Don began working for the Northern Life Insurance Company, which was started by his Grandfather Morgan. Don always loved having a project in front of him and enjoyed working hard. He built the house he lived in for over 60 years until his death. In 1958, Don and his siblings built and managed Kenmore Lanes which expanded from 24 to 32 to 42 to 50 lanes over the course of their ownership. You might say it was a “lucky strike”. They also owned Village Lanes in Seattle. The siblings sold Kenmore in 1984. In 1986, Don was honored by the Greater Seattle Bowling Association for starting the Washington State High School Bowling program.

Don loved athletics all his life. Don was a welterweight boxing champion in the Navy and at the UW intramural league. He played point guard on his high school basketball team. As he grew older, Don shared his love for sports by teaching boxing, bowling and baseball. Don coached Little League baseball at John Rogers. Weeks before Don passed, he would still happily put his ‘dukes up’ and pretend to spar with a smile spread across his face. When Don retired in 1984, he continued to enjoy playing tennis and golf well into his eighties. During the summers, Don and Virginia spent their time in Seattle, Seaside or Darrington, where he had a two-acre garden. During much of Don and Virginia’s lives, they maintained a vegetable garden at their home in Seattle. They regularly filled their dinner table with homegrown vegetables and were happy to share their bounty, except for Don’s precious green beans! They spent winters in Hawaii or Arizona and made many great friends over the years playing cards and sports. Don was particularly proud of an acquaintance he’d made while on the 11th hole of the golf course – an ornery old goose that he’d make time to visit even when he wasn’t playing that day. Slowing down in the last few years was hard for him but he did it with humor, happiness and the grace that was true to the way he lived his entire life. Don loved visits from his family and always greeted visitors with a smile…and usually a treat for any dogs that came by.

Don is survived by his sister Joanne; his four children, Steven (Chris) Peek, David Peek, James (Debbie) Peek and Patti Flajole; his nine grandchildren (Corrie (Jesse) Canaday, Andrea (Donn) Coonrod, Sean (Megan) Peek, Angie Johnson, Justin (Mindy) Peek, Benjamin (Brittany) Flajole, Pat (Sixtine) Flajole, Alex Peek and Anna Peek; and, 12 great-grand-children Keaton and Cole Canaday, Grant and Quinn Coonrod, William, Wesley and Jack Peek, Alivia Johnson, Avery and Kinsley Peek, Caleb and Ellie Flajole.

Don lived a long, happy, faith-driven life. He will be missed by all who loved him.

A masked celebration of Don’s life will be held at Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 at 11:00 am followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Don’s name to University of Washington Medical Center.