Francis Elvin Peek, was born March 25, 1926 in Salt Lake City. He was the third child and first American born to Elizabeth Elvin and Sydney William Peek.
He died April 5, 2014 at age 88.
Fran grew up in Salt Lake City's Avenues and graduated from West High School and the University of Utah. He married Jeanne Willey (Buchi) August 30, 1949. They had three children: Kim, Brian (Elizabeth), and Alison. They were later divorced. Fran had two grandchildren: Stacie (Daniel) Gibson and Melanie (Ryan) Langford as well as six great-grandchildren: Aidan, Isaac, Ari, Lindsey, Dylan and Emerie, and granddog, Jimmie Sophia.
A talented artist, Fran had a long career in advertising and public relations. He was past-president, board member, and lifetime member of the Utah Advertising Federation, and winner of the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He enjoyed a second career as Public Information Officer for the Utah State Office of Education. Fran spent 25 years traveling the world with son Kim, who inspired the movie "Rainman." Fran wrote 2 books about his son's extraordinary gifts, the most famous one entitled "The Real Rain Man." Fran never accepted money from their appearances. He simply wanted to make a difference and show the world that just because you are "different" doesn't mean you are not valuable, beautiful, and extraordinary. I'm sure he succeeded in this goal, as many can recall fond experiences with this dynamic duo.
Fran was preceded in death by his son, Kim; his parents; two sisters, Phyllis and Joyce; and three brothers, Terry, Syd, and Noel.
From my own personal experience with Fran & Kim:
I will never forget standing in line at the post office in Salt Lake City one day back in 2005 or 2006. I just so happened to be standing in front of Fran and Kim, not knowing who they were, and since I wasn't from SLC, I suppose my accent was obviously "foreign" to them. This triggered a conversation, in which Fran asked me if I was from there, to which I replied with a simple no. He quickly said, "Great, now don't tell us where you're from...I want you to meet the real Rain Man." And he pointed to his son, Kim, who was quietly standing close by his side. He then prompted me to give him the zipcode from my hometown, which is located all the way on the other side of the country in a very small, relatively unknown location. When I did, it was like Kim sprang into life, immediately detailing every fact he knew about the place, complete with all of the area codes for my state, as well as which one was currently used in my hometown. As if I weren't already amazed, Fran asked for my birth date, to which Kim gave the exact day of the week as well as other major events that had occurred on that day.
I left the post office that day with not only an amazing experience to share but an invaluable look into a sweet and caring relationship between father and son. While I did not know him personally, I can say that I could genuinely feel the love Fran had for his very special son, Kim. I know that Fran had other children, and I do not mean to overshadow the love he had for each and every one of them with my experience and observations of the way he was with Kim. It takes a lot of sacrifice, patience, and love for a parent to care for one of their children who is so gifted, yet who is also in need of much constant care and attention. I am truly honored to have met the two, and my deepest sympathies go out to the family they both left behind.
Obituary courtesy of The Deseret News, Apr. 13, 2014 and combined with personal information.
He died April 5, 2014 at age 88.
Fran grew up in Salt Lake City's Avenues and graduated from West High School and the University of Utah. He married Jeanne Willey (Buchi) August 30, 1949. They had three children: Kim, Brian (Elizabeth), and Alison. They were later divorced. Fran had two grandchildren: Stacie (Daniel) Gibson and Melanie (Ryan) Langford as well as six great-grandchildren: Aidan, Isaac, Ari, Lindsey, Dylan and Emerie, and granddog, Jimmie Sophia.
A talented artist, Fran had a long career in advertising and public relations. He was past-president, board member, and lifetime member of the Utah Advertising Federation, and winner of the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He enjoyed a second career as Public Information Officer for the Utah State Office of Education. Fran spent 25 years traveling the world with son Kim, who inspired the movie "Rainman." Fran wrote 2 books about his son's extraordinary gifts, the most famous one entitled "The Real Rain Man." Fran never accepted money from their appearances. He simply wanted to make a difference and show the world that just because you are "different" doesn't mean you are not valuable, beautiful, and extraordinary. I'm sure he succeeded in this goal, as many can recall fond experiences with this dynamic duo.
Fran was preceded in death by his son, Kim; his parents; two sisters, Phyllis and Joyce; and three brothers, Terry, Syd, and Noel.
From my own personal experience with Fran & Kim:
I will never forget standing in line at the post office in Salt Lake City one day back in 2005 or 2006. I just so happened to be standing in front of Fran and Kim, not knowing who they were, and since I wasn't from SLC, I suppose my accent was obviously "foreign" to them. This triggered a conversation, in which Fran asked me if I was from there, to which I replied with a simple no. He quickly said, "Great, now don't tell us where you're from...I want you to meet the real Rain Man." And he pointed to his son, Kim, who was quietly standing close by his side. He then prompted me to give him the zipcode from my hometown, which is located all the way on the other side of the country in a very small, relatively unknown location. When I did, it was like Kim sprang into life, immediately detailing every fact he knew about the place, complete with all of the area codes for my state, as well as which one was currently used in my hometown. As if I weren't already amazed, Fran asked for my birth date, to which Kim gave the exact day of the week as well as other major events that had occurred on that day.
I left the post office that day with not only an amazing experience to share but an invaluable look into a sweet and caring relationship between father and son. While I did not know him personally, I can say that I could genuinely feel the love Fran had for his very special son, Kim. I know that Fran had other children, and I do not mean to overshadow the love he had for each and every one of them with my experience and observations of the way he was with Kim. It takes a lot of sacrifice, patience, and love for a parent to care for one of their children who is so gifted, yet who is also in need of much constant care and attention. I am truly honored to have met the two, and my deepest sympathies go out to the family they both left behind.
Obituary courtesy of The Deseret News, Apr. 13, 2014 and combined with personal information.
Francis Elvin Peek, was born March 25, 1926 in Salt Lake City. He was the third child and first American born to Elizabeth Elvin and Sydney William Peek.
He died April 5, 2014 at age 88.
Fran grew up in Salt Lake City's Avenues and graduated from West High School and the University of Utah. He married Jeanne Willey (Buchi) August 30, 1949. They had three children: Kim, Brian (Elizabeth), and Alison. They were later divorced. Fran had two grandchildren: Stacie (Daniel) Gibson and Melanie (Ryan) Langford as well as six great-grandchildren: Aidan, Isaac, Ari, Lindsey, Dylan and Emerie, and granddog, Jimmie Sophia.
A talented artist, Fran had a long career in advertising and public relations. He was past-president, board member, and lifetime member of the Utah Advertising Federation, and winner of the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He enjoyed a second career as Public Information Officer for the Utah State Office of Education. Fran spent 25 years traveling the world with son Kim, who inspired the movie "Rainman." Fran wrote 2 books about his son's extraordinary gifts, the most famous one entitled "The Real Rain Man." Fran never accepted money from their appearances. He simply wanted to make a difference and show the world that just because you are "different" doesn't mean you are not valuable, beautiful, and extraordinary. I'm sure he succeeded in this goal, as many can recall fond experiences with this dynamic duo.
Fran was preceded in death by his son, Kim; his parents; two sisters, Phyllis and Joyce; and three brothers, Terry, Syd, and Noel.
From my own personal experience with Fran & Kim:
I will never forget standing in line at the post office in Salt Lake City one day back in 2005 or 2006. I just so happened to be standing in front of Fran and Kim, not knowing who they were, and since I wasn't from SLC, I suppose my accent was obviously "foreign" to them. This triggered a conversation, in which Fran asked me if I was from there, to which I replied with a simple no. He quickly said, "Great, now don't tell us where you're from...I want you to meet the real Rain Man." And he pointed to his son, Kim, who was quietly standing close by his side. He then prompted me to give him the zipcode from my hometown, which is located all the way on the other side of the country in a very small, relatively unknown location. When I did, it was like Kim sprang into life, immediately detailing every fact he knew about the place, complete with all of the area codes for my state, as well as which one was currently used in my hometown. As if I weren't already amazed, Fran asked for my birth date, to which Kim gave the exact day of the week as well as other major events that had occurred on that day.
I left the post office that day with not only an amazing experience to share but an invaluable look into a sweet and caring relationship between father and son. While I did not know him personally, I can say that I could genuinely feel the love Fran had for his very special son, Kim. I know that Fran had other children, and I do not mean to overshadow the love he had for each and every one of them with my experience and observations of the way he was with Kim. It takes a lot of sacrifice, patience, and love for a parent to care for one of their children who is so gifted, yet who is also in need of much constant care and attention. I am truly honored to have met the two, and my deepest sympathies go out to the family they both left behind.
Obituary courtesy of The Deseret News, Apr. 13, 2014 and combined with personal information.
He died April 5, 2014 at age 88.
Fran grew up in Salt Lake City's Avenues and graduated from West High School and the University of Utah. He married Jeanne Willey (Buchi) August 30, 1949. They had three children: Kim, Brian (Elizabeth), and Alison. They were later divorced. Fran had two grandchildren: Stacie (Daniel) Gibson and Melanie (Ryan) Langford as well as six great-grandchildren: Aidan, Isaac, Ari, Lindsey, Dylan and Emerie, and granddog, Jimmie Sophia.
A talented artist, Fran had a long career in advertising and public relations. He was past-president, board member, and lifetime member of the Utah Advertising Federation, and winner of the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He enjoyed a second career as Public Information Officer for the Utah State Office of Education. Fran spent 25 years traveling the world with son Kim, who inspired the movie "Rainman." Fran wrote 2 books about his son's extraordinary gifts, the most famous one entitled "The Real Rain Man." Fran never accepted money from their appearances. He simply wanted to make a difference and show the world that just because you are "different" doesn't mean you are not valuable, beautiful, and extraordinary. I'm sure he succeeded in this goal, as many can recall fond experiences with this dynamic duo.
Fran was preceded in death by his son, Kim; his parents; two sisters, Phyllis and Joyce; and three brothers, Terry, Syd, and Noel.
From my own personal experience with Fran & Kim:
I will never forget standing in line at the post office in Salt Lake City one day back in 2005 or 2006. I just so happened to be standing in front of Fran and Kim, not knowing who they were, and since I wasn't from SLC, I suppose my accent was obviously "foreign" to them. This triggered a conversation, in which Fran asked me if I was from there, to which I replied with a simple no. He quickly said, "Great, now don't tell us where you're from...I want you to meet the real Rain Man." And he pointed to his son, Kim, who was quietly standing close by his side. He then prompted me to give him the zipcode from my hometown, which is located all the way on the other side of the country in a very small, relatively unknown location. When I did, it was like Kim sprang into life, immediately detailing every fact he knew about the place, complete with all of the area codes for my state, as well as which one was currently used in my hometown. As if I weren't already amazed, Fran asked for my birth date, to which Kim gave the exact day of the week as well as other major events that had occurred on that day.
I left the post office that day with not only an amazing experience to share but an invaluable look into a sweet and caring relationship between father and son. While I did not know him personally, I can say that I could genuinely feel the love Fran had for his very special son, Kim. I know that Fran had other children, and I do not mean to overshadow the love he had for each and every one of them with my experience and observations of the way he was with Kim. It takes a lot of sacrifice, patience, and love for a parent to care for one of their children who is so gifted, yet who is also in need of much constant care and attention. I am truly honored to have met the two, and my deepest sympathies go out to the family they both left behind.
Obituary courtesy of The Deseret News, Apr. 13, 2014 and combined with personal information.
