Obituary of James Franklin Peck

James Franklin Peck, 93, formerly from Wausau,WI passed away at Arbors Assisted Living in Burnsville, MN on April 21,2017 from complications of ALS. Jim was born Nov.4, 1923 in Enid, OK. to Major and Grace Peck. He worked for the OK gas company after high school, joining the Navy a year later to serve during WWII. He attended Phillips University in Enid and graduated from the University of Colorado earning his M.S. in physical therapy. He married Barbara Petgen December 1950. Jim worked at St Mary's hospital and Wausau hospitals for 37 years as a physical therapist. He also had a private practice serving local nursing homes and small hospitals in the area. Jim loved his job caring for his patients and greatly admired his co-workers. Dave T. he loved seeing you last April. Jim was passionate about being physically active including skiing, snowshoeing, camping, running, biking, handball and sailing. He loved working in his gardens and yard. Jim and Barb belonged to the UU church. Jim enjoyed playing chess with Grampa Frank, investing and his dog Missy. He loved vacationing in Door County each summer with his family and family camping vacations throughout the US and Canada. After retiring he enjoyed many RV trips from coast to coast. Shelling at Ft Myers Beach was a favorite. He went on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, toured the pyramids of Egypt, visited the British Museum, walked the streets of Barcelona, Lisbon and Marrakech and yearly joined his children and grandchildren for family trips to Mexico. Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels were purposeful activities once retired. Water exercise was a favorite, please share a splash in Jim’s honor. Jim's happy place later in life was Starbucks. Thank you to the baristas in Wausau and Burnsville who were so kind to him. Life was very good to Jim, he always said he couldn't have asked for more. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and brother John. Jim is survived by his three children David (JoAnn), Deborah and Carolyn and three grandchildren, Amanda, Rachael and Amber.