Jeffrey Peek

Jeffrey "Catfish" Peek, a fortifying leader, devoted family man, and pillar of the Indianapolis community, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in his Indianapolis home Monday, September 21, 2026, leaving behind a legacy defined by industry, integrity, and an enduring commitment to giving more than he received.

Jeff grew up in the vibrant community of Broad Ripple and had a childhood full of playing every sport he could. If it involved competition, he loved it. He later moved to Lebanon, Ind., during his middle school years, when he earned the nickname “Catfish” for the early age at which he started growing facial hair. He grew into it, though, cultivating friendships and a love for life as a teen. Jeff went on to letter on the high school golf team, graduating a Tiger with the Class of 1975.

In a June 2026 letter, Jeff said he “always considered the four pillars of (his) life to be St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Highland Golf & Country Club, Butler University/Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the law firm Hall Render.” He built that first pillar at Butler and began his lifelong connection to higher education, athletics, and serving others. He was a standout member of the golf team from 1975 until his graduation in 1979, when he was honored as the Ernst & Ernst accounting student most likely to succeed in the field.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Jeff immediately became a Certified Public Accountant at Bell, Ent & Associates, working by day to put himself through law school by night. Additionally, during law school in 1982, he began a four-year stint as an adjunct professor at Butler for corporate and individual taxation. Jeff earned his Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1983 and then was admitted to the bar that same year for both Indiana and U.S. District Tax Courts.

Jeff’s professional career was marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence. He spent 43 years at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, where his practical approach and brilliant analytical mind guided the firm through significant eras of growth. His leadership was so trusted by his peers that he served as the firm's managing partner for eight years, cementing its reputation as a national powerhouse in healthcare law.

Beyond the courtroom and the boardroom, Jeff poured into the institutions that shaped him. A proud and fierce Bulldog, he was integral in founding the Butler University Athletic Hall of Fame, now with 275 athletes or teams enshrined, assuring that generations of student-athletes would have their achievements forever honored.

Jeff gave tirelessly to Highland Golf & Country Club throughout his adult life as well. Starting as a member in 1981, he served over time as Golf Chair, Audit & Finance Chair, Treasurer, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board. He always viewed Highland as place to play, learn, connect, and fortify family.

Jeff fortified his faith and desire to serve at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, where he acted as the church treasurer for decades, quietly and meticulously managing the resources that fueled the church's ministry and expansion. Further reflecting his servant-leader mentality, he spent seven years mentoring in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

While his résumé was vast, those who knew Jeff best knew him for his quick wit, his industrious nature, and his absolute devotion to his loved ones. He possessed a vibrant sense of humor that could lighten any room, paired perfectly with the steady, practical wisdom of a natural mentor.

Jeff was a passionate collector of coins and sports memorabilia, a hobby that mirrored his deep respect for history and greatness. He was an avid fan of golf, baseball, basketball, and football—in reality, an avid fan of anything involving numbers. You could just as easily catch him being a savant about sports trivia as you could about tax codes.

An adventurous world traveler, Jeff created beautiful memories on trips to Italy, Monaco, the Baltic Sea, and Alaska. Amongst all his pastimes, his absolute favorite was simply spending quality time surrounded by the family he anchored so fiercely.

Jeff was a profoundly loving family man, always willing to make time to coach sports teams and be with his children. His legacy of love and leadership lives on through his surviving family: his beloved wife of 45 years, Debra; daughter, Laura Yacko and her husband Matt; son, Steven Peek and his wife Amanda; grandchildren, Phoebe Peek and Mattix Peek; brothers, Joseph Peek and his wife Susan; John Peek and his wife Christina; and James Peek and his wife Angela.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Carl “Buz” Peek and Jo Ann Tondra.

Brief in speech but grand in action, Jeff lived his life by a simple, powerful standard: to leave things better than he found them, and to give selflessly to the people and places he loved. Indianapolis is a stronger, kinder place because he was in it.

A service honoring Jeff's life will be held on Saturday, October 3, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church (100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN). The visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the funeral service to follow. There will be a private burial ceremony that afternoon at Crown Hill Cemetery.

On Sunday, October 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., family and friends are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life at Highland Golf and Country Club (1050 W. 52nd Street, Indianapolis, IN) to share memories, toast to his legacy, and celebrate a life exceptionally well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Jeff's honor to either St. Luke’s United Methodist Church or Butler University Athletics, to continue support for ministries and programs closest to his heart.