Walter Frank Peckham

Walter Peckham died peacefully in his sleep with family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Paula Laurie Conger Peckham at the family home in Bridgeport. He is also survived by two daughters, Donna Bausch (Michael) of Tonasket, Marilyn Redfield of Spokane, and five grandchil- dren; Quinn, Addison, Weston, Joel, and Candace. Walt is also survived by his cousin, Ralph Rigg of Dyer Hill with whom he assisted in the wheat fields for many years. Walt was born in Pateros, Washington on June 10, 1926 to Nellie and Frank Peckham. He lived in Pateros until he entered the US Navy in 1944 serving in WWII. His basic training was at Farragut, Idaho. There he volun- teered for the Armed Guard Volunteer gun crew program for duty aboard the US Merchant Ships. He entered gunnery school in San Diego in 1944 transferring to New Orleans and volunteered for duty aboard the Liberty Ship SS Pontus H. Ross enroute to the Pacific. The Ross was damaged by Japanese torpedo off Hollandia, New Guinea. After repair, he helped transport Australian army troops from Queensland, Australia to Morotai Is- land, south of New Guinea. In September 1945, he was assigned to the Bremerton Navy Yard and in February of 1946, he served aboard the vic- tory ship, SS Lavaca and finally discharged July 20th 1946 at the rank of Seaman First Class. Walt's awards and decorations include Navy Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Merchant Marine Defense Medal and Merchant Marine Victory Medal. After discharge from the Navy, Walt went into the trucking business on the West Coast and later worked as a plumber in Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Following the war he married Janelle French, the mother of his two daughters. In his retirement years, Walt and Paula married following a Pateros all- school reunion where they had been in the same third grade class. During their 23 years together in Bridgeport, they enjoyed many cross-country trips in their RV visiting family and attending military reunions. In most re- cent years, Walt was very active in the Brewster, Bridgeport, Pateros Sen- ior Center. As a member of the American Legion, he enjoyed participating in the local parades and was also a member of the Bridgeport Eagles Club. Walt was very proud of his service to his country and enjoyed wearing his cap everywhere. He was selected to participate in an honor flight in Washington DC to view the war memorial several years ago, a trip he thor- oughly enjoyed. Walt was always offering assistance to his family mem- bers and friends in the many areas of skill he had with plumbing, electrical and building. Walt was very involved in the lives of Paula's six children and was very loved by them. Walt will be sadly missed by his loving wife and family. The Funeral Service will be held at Barnes Chapel 510 W. Indian Ave. Brewster, scheduled for 10 a.m. October 4, 2019. Graveside flag presen- tation at Pateros Cemetery followed by a reception at the American Legion in Brewster.

Tributes

Walter Frank Peckham

June 10, 1926 - September 27, 2019