Gordon J. Peeks, age 77, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away in his home on Easter Monday. Raised on the family farm in Chappell, NE, Gordon grew up tending livestock, crops and eventually raising award-winning pigs for the Deuel County Fair. His summer hay baling business put him through college at Kearney State College where he played football, studied to become an Industrial Arts teacher, earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. In 1968 he married Barbara Kucera and welcomed daughter Krista in 1970 while serving as dorm parents at Centennial Towers East on campus.
He began his full half-century of teaching in Elm Creek before moving to North Platte in 1972 where he briefly taught at Our Redeemer Lutheran School. He then settled in for 41 years at North Platte Senior High, where he taught various industrial arts including electricity, drafting, industrial wiring, and math. Serving the NSEA and leading SkillsUSA teams to national competitions brought him great joy before finally retiring in 2014. After his “official” retirement, he continued his work in the classroom as a lab assistant in the Electrical Technology Program at Mid Plains Community College before segueing into volunteering at multiple elementary schools in North Platte. His long commitment to serving the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School community included service on multiple church boards, the school building committee, and performing trustee and elder duties, ending with co-teaching a Grief Share class once a week at the church.
A teacher to his core, his family would often encounter former students while running errands and hear the familiar, “Hello, Mr. Peeks!” and it was estimated that he had taught nearly ten thousand students in his lifetime. The week before he passed, he lamented about missing so much school this year due to his health. His plan was to live to be 100. His generous spirit led him to give away many bottles of homemade wine, hot sauce, bbq sauce, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Florence Peeks. He is survived by his daughter, Krista Peeks Dittman, grandsons Nelson Dittman and Jessica; and Andreas Dittman all of Lincoln. His surviving siblings are Karren Carnes of Hastings, Lowell Peeks and Jeri of Axtell; Bruce Peeks of Chappell; and Byron Peeks and Sherri of York. His niece and nephew are Jason Carnes and Debbie of Seattle, WA and Charla Peeks of Kearney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the North Platte Public Schools Foundation, which seeks to help students reach their fullest potential by providing resources and opportunities for academic and personal growth. Gordon was instrumental in securing funding for numerous initiatives, scholarships, classroom grants and enrichment programs. Donations will honor his legacy of service and commitment to education. Online donations can be made at www.NPPSF.org or sent to Adams and Swanson Funeral Home.
May he rest in peace, knowing that his contributions to his family, church and community will continue to make a difference in the lives he touched for years to come.
Celebration of life is Saturday, April 22nd at 2pm at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1400 East E St, North Platte. Inurnment follows on Saturday in Chappell for family only.