Col. Joe Page Peck, USAF Retired

Colonel Joe Page Peck, USAF Retired, 84, of Biloxi, MS, died Thursday, March 20, 2008, in Gulfport. He was born and reared in Franklin, TN, the fifth of seven children born to Myron King Peck, II and Louise Page Peck. Survivors include his wife, Anne Dillon Peck of Biloxi; daughter, Victoria Peck Blaha, of Brandon, MS; son, Joe Page Peck, Jr., of Arlington, VA; brother, Matthew Buckner Peck of Brentwood, TN; sister, Margaret Peck Mills of Nashville, TN, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. Col. Peck was a devoted Christian and served more than 25 years in various support roles in the Traditional Protestant Worship Services at Keesler AFB. After serving over three years in the military services during WW II, he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration, and an LL. B. Degree in Law. Thereafter he practiced law in Nashville, TN, and in May of 1956 he entered into two career fields, to wit: being a husband and an Air Force Judge Advocate (AFJA). He married Anne Dillon, daughter of Irvin Franklin Dillon and Ola Clouse Dillon of Nashville, TN, on May of 1956. Two children, Victoria Lynn Peck and Joe Page Peck, Jr. were born to this union. His entry on active duty as an AFJA started May 13, 1956 and he retired with the rank of Colonel on October 1, 1981 as the Staff Judge Advocate, Keesler Technical Training Center, Biloxi, MS. Both careers were enjoyable, challenging, and rewarding. After retirement from the USAF, he practiced law in the Biloxi-Gulfport, MS area until August 1995 when he retired from this practice. Thereafter, he and his wife traveled throughout the contiguous States where they visited children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, and saw the beauty of our country. He and his wife were avid ballroom, round and square dancing participants until their health reduced their participation in these activities. They also participated in various church and civic activities. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 24, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. Col. Peck will be sent to Mount Olivet Funeral Home in Nashville, TN for additional services and interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery with full military Honors. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial contributions be made to the organization of one's choice.