Larry Brevard Peck

Larry Brevard Peck, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, in his home in Matthews, NC. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 24, at Gordon Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant, NC, officiated by Pastor Patrick McCabe.

Larry was born on May 27, 1934, in Silver Run, MD, to the late Dr. Felix Brevard and Annie James Little Peck. He lived in many places in the United States as a boy due to his father’s ministerial career. He moved to Charlotte, NC, when he was sophomore in high school and attended Central High School. It was there that he met the love of his life, Barbara Anne Moore, during his junior year. They were married in 1954, one year before Larry graduated early from Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude.

He began his corporate tax career at Bethlehem Steel Company in Bethlehem, PA. He moved his family many times because of his diverse tax career: Massey Ferguson in Toronto, Hoover in North Canton, OH, Philco Ford in Philadelphia, Ford in Detroit, and Polaroid in Cambridge, MA. In January 1981, Larry joined Kroger Company in Cincinnati, OH. He retired in 1991 from the position of Director, Corporate Tax at Kroger Company at age 57. 

Larry was active for almost 30 years in the Tax Executive Institute, Inc. serving in leadership positions at chapter, regional and, finally, institute levels. At the end of his service, he was Institute Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. At his retirement from TEI in 1992, he received the President’s Award for his outstanding advice, counsel, and service. 

Larry and Barbara were faithful members of the Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, which they joined in May 1983. Larry was ordained as a deacon in April 1984. He also served as usher and offering counter and was an active member of the Men’s Discovery Group. Larry and Barbara regularly participated in the church social group, the Mariners.  

Volunteering was an important aspect of Larry’s life. He was a life-long church volunteer and held leadership positions in various churches as church treasurer, deacon, and elder. He was active in the Jaycees when he lived in North Canton, OH. He volunteered for the Salvation Army to raise charitable contributions as a bell ringer during the holidays. After retirement, Larry delivered Meals on Wheels for three years, then spent 25 years volunteering for AARP by doing tax counseling and tax preparation for the elderly. He worked for 16 years at Cincinnati polling stations during elections, most as precinct leader. 

Larry had a big heart. He was a quiet, reserved man, who did not enjoy being the center of attention. He loved being with friends and especially treasured his times with family. Larry actively sought those connections.

Larry had an extremely dry sense of humor. Those lucky enough to know this side of him remember his quick wit. When he laughed, it was large.

Larry was meticulous. He liked everything in its place. His children remember a garage that was regularly cleaned, a weedless lawn and grass clippers used weekly to trim flowerbed edges. At his last home with a yard (in Cincinnati), he faced a losing battle with moles. He, however, kept up the fight.

 Larry had a love of music that he instilled in his children. He played the piano, having been taught by his mother. He especially loved Broadway musicals, classical, big band, and popular music of the 1950s and 60s. Larry could sing, but he was not a stage performer. His voice was reserved for singing during church services or for his and Barbara’s annual Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary songs to their children.

Larry was an avid churchgoer, having been a Preacher’s Kid. He was a faithful Christian man, who had a quiet faith. He epitomized the definition of integrity, which had a great influence on his children.

Larry got the travel bug when he worked for Hoover in North Canton, OH -- He traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe, and South America for business, sometimes accompanied by Barbara, and together actively traveled in Larry’s retirement. He traveled through all 50 states, parts of Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Guam, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Panama. When he passed, he still had New Zealand, Australia, and Antarctica high on his bucket list.

Larry was active – he played tennis up to four times a week until he was 78. He enjoyed being on a bowling team in Bethlehem, PA in his twenties and re-discovered bowling again on a team after tennis ended. He enjoyed visiting public land conservation areas to explore and walk among the natural beauty. In later years, he kept fit by briskly walking miles daily. Larry also enjoyed expanding his stamp collection until his sight diminished.

In 2018 at age 84, after 38 years in Cincinnati, Larry moved with Barbara to Matthews, NC, and lived out his final days.

Larry leaves behind His beloved wife, Barbara Anne Moore Peck, of almost 70 years; His 3 Children: Marilyn (Michael) Starkey, Susan Anker, Alan Peck (Barbara Trost); His 9 Grandchildren: Michael Starkey (Beverly), Rebecca (Marshall) Dyer; Elizabeth (Michael) Reduce; Matthew (Cristina) Starkey; Sarah (Chris) Felts; Kimberly (Alex) Hart, Lauren Anker (Kyle Milardo), Brian (fiancée, Sandra O’Donnell), Kaitlin Anker; andHis 17 Great-Grandchildren: Kendall, Caleb, Zoe, Joshua, Christopher, Elijah, Rachel, Jacob, Sofia, Ines, Vita, Serene, Leo, Jack, Miles, Riley, and Elliot. He leaves behind other extended family and friends who loved him dearly and who were a big part of his life and affections. He was preceded in death by his brother and wife, H. Wayne and Marilyn Peck. 

We are forever grateful for Larry’s sister-in-law, Betty Lineberger, and niece, Karen Lineberger, for their daily support, help and love. The certified nursing care assistants and therapists from Bayada provided amazing care and support during Larry’s last years. The family deeply thanks each of them. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: 

Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church

6474 Beechmont Ave

Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 231-2650

Catawba College

2300 W Innes St

Salisbury, NC 28144

(800) 228-2922

 Check or pay securely online at https://www.catawba.edu/giving/how-to-give