"Lori, I was sorry to see that Jim had passed on. This morning, I was writing a common college friend Foo Lam who was 93 this year. I looked Jim up on the internet, not having heard from him in quite a while, and unfortunately found his obituary. You probably remember that Jim and I met in 1956 as freshmen in an honors math class at NMSU. He said he wanted to teach math in high school. Instead, he got his PhD in math and taught in college. I'm sure he was an excellent teacher. We enjoyed our visits with you and Jim on your trips with us up the Lake Superior North Shore and also in Ames. Our sincere regrets on hearing this. I know the past few years have not been easy for you."
In loving memory of
Edmund James Peake Jr
July 5, 1938 - August 15, 2024
Livestream link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81051394275?pwd=ijHFmfZSpsYbZYXIvy9TA5yaJyvxtN.1
Passcode: 994925
Edmund James Peake Jr, "Jim" 86, of Ames passed away on August 15, 2024. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on September 17th at Ames United Church of Christ (217 6th St, Ames, IA 50010). Memorial donations may be directed to the United Church of Christ Youth Group.
Jim was born on July 5th, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska to Edmund Sr. and Hilde (Kronsage) Peake. Jim grew up in Phoenix and graduated from West Phoenix High School with the class of 1956. He then attended New Mexico State University and earned a both a bachelor's degree and a PhD in Mathematics. After acquiring his degrees, he joined the math department at Iowa State University in 1962, where he continued to teach for over 40 years until his retirement. Jim married Elizabeth Nies in 1963, and the two made their home in Ames. They were lucky enough to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
Jim enjoyed watching sports, especially Chicago Cubs baseball, and attending Iowa State basketball games. He was active in the church and served with many community organizations over the years. He was a cub scout leader, member of Kiwanis, served on the boards of NAMI of Iowa, and United Christian Campus Ministries. He was church treasurer for many years and coordinated the volunteer tax preparation services for AARP. He also enjoyed family trips to the southwestern United States, as well as trips with his wife to Hawaii, England, Russia, the Ukraine and his dream trip to Alaska.
Left to cherish Jim's memory are his wife Lori, children; Kathy (Joel) Morton and Rick (Laurel) Peake, and 8 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Richard (Diane).
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Edmund Sr. and Hilde.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"Lori, we are thinking of you. We haven't been in touch for some time but I know you must miss Jim so much. It has not been an easy journey the past few years. We live so close we ought to connect more often. Peace to you. Bernadette and Ken Siebert"
"As an academic advisor at ISU, on various occasions over the years I worked with Dr. Peake . He was such a kind, gentle, helpful man; and I, and no doubt countless students, benefitted from his unassuming, wise, and patient manner. For many math is not the easiest subject to learn; but he helped so many students do just that and advance successfully into programs requiring those skills. Well done, Dr. Peake. Ellen Holm"
"We played bridge with Lori and Jim for many years every Thursday morning. Jim was a very good player. He was also a very pleasant friend and contributed many interesting tidbits to our conversations. We are sorry to learn of his passing and will remember him with fondness."
"I knew this day was coming.
I just wasn't ready.
I bet Lori and the rest of your family weren't ready either.
I doubt we would have ever been ready.
I'll miss our Sunday Zoom talks (that I'd sadly been missing this last month, and for that I'm so sorry!) and your stories.
Fly high Jim...
RIP my mentor, my church family member, more importantly, my friend."