Herbert J Peck Jr.

Jim was born in Barryton, Michigan to Herbert J. Peck, Sr. and Ethel Beryl Converse Peck on May 11, 1929. He grew up in Howard City, Michigan where he was a star high school basketball player and worked his way through high school for the local butcher and undertaker, which in his small town was the same person. Jim’s parents, both school teachers, encouraged him to memorize poetry and all that knew him can remember his total recall of these poems well into his 90’s. Jim attended the University of Michigan and was an avid Wolverines fan for life.

Jim enlisted in the Air Force in 1951, where he trained to become a pilot in Hondo, TX and was assigned to B-29 transition in San Antonio. He married Nita Jane Foulkrod on April 11, 1953. A devoted husband for life, Jim and Nita were just 2 weeks shy of celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary when she passed away in March 2023.

Jim and Nita were transferred to Smokey Hill AFB in 1956, where their only daughter, Pamela, was born. Smokey Hill was where Jim was placed under the Strategic Air Command (SAC ), which he continued to serve under until his retirement in 1979. Following Smoky Hill, Jim, Nita, and Pam transferred to Pease AFB in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where they started their career and family life, with Jim commanding a B-47 crew for 8 years.

For the remainder of Jim’s 28 years in the Air Force, they relocated another 8 times. He became the commander of a B-52 crew during this time and did 2 1-year tours of duty in Thailand. He became Vice Commander of the 17th Bomb Wing at Wright Patterson AFB and then retired as the Asst Inspector General for the Office of the Inspector General at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska.

After his long military career, Jim and Nita retired to Lago Vista, Texas. It was in Lago Vista where Jim and Nita both gave their lives to Jesus Christ and began a lifelong journey of faith together spanning several decades and cities. They were very active members of their church and took every opportunity to volunteer to help others in whatever way they could. Jim and Nita gave generously to their church and were always willing to give their time and money to any need. Also in Lago Vista, Jim led bible studies, wrote a column for the local newspaper, participated in seminars across the US, and became ordained as a deacon.

In 2004, Jim and Nita moved to the Air Force Village 2 (later Blue Skies West), where they lived out the rest of their lives. They lived a very active lifestyle and were instrumental in recruiting several others to retire at AFV during their time there. Jim was beloved by all and always had a kind word and a smile for every person he met. He sang in the Village Voices, led Bible study, and volunteered to water all of the lobby plants, a job he continued well into his 90s. He never met a stranger and was an inspiration to all who met him. He will be missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela, 2 grandsons, Jon Michael & Christopher and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nita, his parents Herbert & Ethel, and his brother Lewis.

A Graveside Service is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, Pavilion 1, Officiated by Chaplain Wayne Knutson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Village Voices at Blue Skies.