This year GCAP will provide it’s 8th Annual Ronnie Peek Memorial Scholarship.
This scholarship is available for for graduates of Finney, Kearny, or Scott county high schools in Kansas, who are the children of an employee of either Finney County Police Department, Finney County Sheriff Department, Finney County Fire Department, Finney County EMS, or State Troopers residing in Finney County. To apply for the scholarship, click on the following link: http://wkcf.org/grants-scholarships/scholarships
About Ronnie:
Garden City Firefighter Ronnie W. Peek, age 49, of the Garden City Fire Department, died January 22, 2015, after mandatory self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training. He served with the Garden City Fire Department for 17 years.
Ronnie was born June 2, 1965, in Ulysses, Kansas, to Warren and Loretta Bronson Peek. He graduated from Florence High School in Florence, Colorado, before beginning his career in public service. Shortly after high school, Ronnie joined the United States Navy, serving four years on the USS Missouri BB-63 based in Long Beach, California. He then spent time as a deputy with the El Paso County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office. An opportunity to volunteer with the Grant County (Kansas) Fire Department helped Ronnie discover his love for firefighting. He joined the brotherhood of the Garden City Fire Department in 1998.
Two years earlier, in 1996, Ronnie married the love of his life, Lana Reid. The two raised three children, Haley Reid, Adriana Peek, and Logan Peek. Ronnie was a devoted husband and father and was very active in his children’s lives. When he wasn’t at work, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Around the firehouse, Ronnie was known for his extensive knowledge of the department’s trucks. He enjoyed operating each of them, particularly the CFR-7 at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station at Garden City Regional Airport. He was also known for his meticulous organization. He knew where everything was around the station and on each truck, down to the smallest or least used part. He also made sure each piece of Tupperware was stored with its lid.
Ronnie was an outstanding member of the honor guard, bringing his military experience to the group. He was incredibly generous with his time, making friends anywhere he went. Ron never missed the MDA Boot Block, the annual fundraiser held for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was always seeking to help others without expecting anything in return. This desire to help others led to a second career with Finney County EMS, where he served from May 2006 until he passed away.
Ronnie is survived by his wife, Lana; his children, Haley George, Adriana Peek, and Logan Peek; grandchildren, Selene George and Aniyah Peek; his Garden City Fire Department brothers; and a host of family and friends.
Ronnie lived his life according to his favorite quote: “Live for today, because you never know about tomorrow.”
Adam Patterson
GCFD Firefighter II
While gone, he will never be forgotten.
