Capt. Charles Peck, 74, passed peacefully at Pontchartrain Health Care Center under hospice care Feb. 1, 2010, at 12:10 a.m.

He was the beloved husband of Judi Peck for 23 years; loving stepfather of Erin Halverson Oest-Larsen, husband Carl and stepgrandfather of Lene and Kate Oest- Larsen of Seattle. He is also survived by brother William Peck and wife Laura; stepuncle to Adair and Eric Oesterle of California; son-in-law of Josephine and Anthony Romano of Wood River Ill.; brother- in-law of Mary Jo Buesteton and husband Joel, and uncle to Kyle and Sarah Buesteton of Alton Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Dorothy Bush Peck and brother Robert Peck.

Peck was born in Joliet, Ill., in 1935, raised in Mason City Iowa and attended State University of Iowa, Iowa City before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He earned his wings in Pensacola, Fla., and was assigned to the Navy Air Station, North Island San Diego, Calif., and flew with the Navy Air Force Pacific West off aircraft carriers. He was hired by Delta Airlines in 1963 and retired in 1994. He proudly served his country in both the Air Force and Navy Reserve before he was hired by Delta and retired in 1972.

PECK

He lived life to the fullest, was compassionate and supportive to many and loved by his friends. He enjoyed duck and deer hunting, but his favorite sport was fishing. He enjoyed spending time between his two camps in Delacroix and Port Eads on his boat the Sea Pecker. He was passionate about football and engaged in many friendly wagers during the season. Like “Buddy D” he would have loved to be a part of the Who Dat Nation this season. He was a member of the Airline Pilots Association, Gulf Coast Conservation Association and the Delta Pioneers.

The family would like to express their most sincere thanks and gratitude to the Pontchartrain staff for their exceptional care and respect, untiring kindness and attention to Charley and his wife during his five-year stay with them. A special thanks also, to Community Care Hospice for their care of Charley in his final days, and support to his wife.

His service was private but a celebration of life will be scheduled early summer. Donations in his memory may be made to the Hereditary Disease Foundation, 3960 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, NY 10032 or on line at www.hdfoundation.org. Specify research for Huntington Disease

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home Inc., 2260 W. 21st Ave., Covington in charge of arrangements. Sign guest book online at www.ejfieldingfh.com.