[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 40 (Monday, April 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E493-E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE TRUEMAN KIRK PEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2006

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to the life and memory of Trueman Kirk Peek.

[[Page E494]]

  Every once in a while, a person comes along who has the capacity to 
positively influence people, the community, and life in general. Kirk 
Peek was just such a man. It saddens me to say that, tragically, he 
perished in a plane crash on January 17, 2006.
  Kirk was born on August 14, 1938 in Unionville, Missouri. Very 
patriotic and dedicated to our country, he joined the Marines in 1956. 
He was an avid outdoorsman and after his discharge, Kirk settled in 
Lone Pine, CA. A 41-year resident, he was the community's beloved 
barber and his shop was considered the unofficial center of town. 
People went to Kirk's barbershop for a friendly chat, to find shelter 
from inclement weather, shoot pool, or to pick up dry cleaning. Kirk 
was not always there, but the door was never locked. His shop was also 
a sort of self-help bank as well because frequently the cash register 
wasn't locked either. As Lone Pine's informal ambassador, Kirk welcomed 
tourists and his barbershop felt like a second home for many people.
  Kirk was involved in several organizations over the years including 
the Lions Club, Mt. Whitney Golf Club, Little League, the volunteer 
fire department, Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, Inyo Associates, and 
the Lone Pine Booster Club. Appointed to the Inyo County Board of 
Education in 1998, Kirk felt it was an honor to serve and he 
continually provided astute insights, wise counsel, and humble 
leadership.
  An accomplished pilot, Kirk flew almost everywhere. He loved to fly 
and said it gave him a sense of spirituality and a sense of awe. He 
felt at home in the air and he would always make sure his plane was 
available for a friend in need.
  Although Kirk will be remembered as a gregarious, honest, and caring 
man who was generous with his time and talents in order to help others, 
Kirk's lasting legacy rests in his family. He was a dedicated husband 
to his wife, Judy, and a loving father to daughter, Beth, as well as a 
devoted grandfather to Sara and Daniel Blodgett. Sadly, Kirk's son, 
Phillip Shawn Peek, passed away in 1991.
  When Oscar Wilde said, ``Some people cause happiness wherever they 
go,'' he could have been talking about Trueman Kirk Peek. With his 
contagious sense of fun and enthusiastic love of life, Kirk always 
brought out the best in people. He had a genuine affection for others 
and made friends wherever he went. And those friends deeply miss Kirk 
and mourn his passing.

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