Charles Herschel Peacock's Obituary
A few minutes past 6 on the 20th of November, at a time when for most of his life he arose to start the day’s activities, the spirit of Charles Herschel Peacock rose and crossed from mortality to the rest of his immortal life. Born on November 5, 1919, to Byron and Eva Peacock in Emery, Utah, the second of nine children, Herschel lived the life of a country boy in a place and at a time short on resources but long on love, labor and wonder. It is hard to summarize an active life of 95 years, but among the highlights are service in the Navy during WWII, a mission to the eastern states for the LDS church, marriage to Helen Jensen in 1950 in the Salt Lake temple, graduation from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in geology, a life-long career in petroleum geology (still finding prospects in his 90’s), seven children along the way, activity in Scouting (including a Silver Beaver award), service in the church and service to the community. Herschel was fiercely devoted to the gospel, adding to his prior missionary service work with the Laotian and Cambodian community in Denver, leadership roles in a Stake Presidency, Bishop, temple worker, priesthood leadership in manifold capacities, companion to and supporter of Helen’s callings and even dance organizer for the youth of Denver. The first to volunteer and the last to leave, Herschel left a legacy of service to church, family and community.
Herschel’s love for and support of Helen was a hallmark of his life; devotion to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren came in a close second in his priorities. Herschel is survived by one sister, Charlene (Stan) and two sisters-in-law (Dorothy and Velda Jensen) and seven children Julie (Jeff) Platt, Steven (Katrina), Brent (Nola), Lorri (Shannon) Cummings, Mark (Carol), Alan (Rena), Greg (Martha). At his passing, he was blessed with 44 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at on Friday, 28 November, at 10 am in the Mountain View Ward chapel, 1750 E 750 S, Spanish Fork. Viewing at 8:30 am at the same location. Interment will be in Castle Dale, Utah. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to LDS philanthropies.org, perpetual education or general mission funds.
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