Sam Jr. Peacock

Ralph Earl “Sam” Peacock, 88, passed away on June 11, 2012 at his La Junta home with his family by his side. He was born on May 17, 1924 in Elkhart, Kansas to Ralph E. & Grace Irene (Mahaffey) Peacock, Sr. He married Margaret “Eddie” Mintz on September 25, 1949 in La Junta, Colorado; she preceded him in death on November 15, 2011.

Sam’s family moved to La Junta in 1936 and he graduated from La Junta High School Class of 1942. He was the past President of the La Junta Rotary Club, past Exalted Ruler of the La Junta Elks Lodge, #701, past President of the La Junta Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association.  He was a member of the La Junta Euclid Lodge #64 and affiliated with the Lamar Lodge #90. Sam also served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater of Operation as a Pharmacist Mate attached to the Marines. He graduated from the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science in 1947. Sam was a Funeral Director in La Junta and Lamar following his Navy service until his retirement in 1992. He loved his family, friends, his community and Sam & Eddie’s Cuchara Cabin. He will be greatly missed by all.

Sam is survived by his children, Sam (Diana) Peacock of Helendale, California; Dan (Cindy) Peacock of Salida, CO; Jeannie (George) Larsen of La Junta, CO; Clay (Brenda Jeffryes) Peacock of Lamar, CO; Curtis (Linda) Peacock of La Junta, CO; and Susan (Kelley) Jones of Swink, CO; grandchildren, Jenny (Eric) Sova, Matthew Peacock, Mark (Tracee) Peacock, Jane (Rob) Pizem, Clay Peacock, Rick (Katie) Graf, Jill Peacock, Grant Peacock, Andrea (Brian) Trainor, Jessie (Joe) Trainor, Bobby (Morgan) Larsen, Malea (Joe) Munger, Alyssa (Jon Holsinger) Peacock, Alex Peacock, Tessa Peacock, Ryan (Emily) Peacock, Kaitlyn Peacock, Lesley Peacock, Sheradann and Palmer Jones, 15 great-grandchildren as well as numerous friends. Two of Sam’s grandsons are serving in the U.S. Military, Clay Peacock with the U.S. Navy in Japan and Ryan Peacock with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters & brothers-in-law, Lucretia (Bob) Grigsby and Jane (Creighton) Inglish, great-granddaughter, Samantha Trainor.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Arkansas Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO 81050 direct or through the funeral home. 

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


A Celebration of Life for longtime La Junta resident, Ralph Earl “Sam” Peacock will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene with Pastors Derek Hutchison & Ian Blacker officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in La Junta with military honors by the Rocky Ford Rifle Team, American Legion Post #8.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Peacock Family Chapel in Lamar and also Friday, June 15, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta.