, John Barclay (Jack) Peck, age 89, passed away peacefully on September 27th, 2024. A loving husband, father, brother, and uncle, Jack is remembered by all that knew him for his warmth, his spirited sense of humor, passion for music, and amazing stories of a life well lived.
Born October 22, 1934 in Lebanon, Ohio, Jack and his three sisters grew up on The Golden Rule Dahlia Farm with their parents John and Jean Peck. After an accident at the age of 8, Jack lost his right arm and became the first civilian to receive penicillin to save him from gas gangrene. Jack fully recovered, and refusing to accept any limitations, he became a classically trained trumpet player having studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in his younger years. He honed his skills throughout his youth and went on to play with the Student Jazz Band known as The Campus Owls while attending Miami University at Oxford, OH, where he graduated in 1956.
In 1961, Jack moved to Florence, Alabama where he lived for the rest of his life. He worked for Reynolds Metals Company until he retired in 1993. But most notably, Jack brought his trumpet skills to Alabama’s Muscle Shoals Sound and FAME Studios where he was an original member of what became the legendary Muscle Shoals Horns. Jack played trumpet on Percy Sledge’s original recording of “When A Man Loves a Woman”, and is named on the historic plaque on East 2nd Street in Sheffield, AL commemorating that recording. Jack continued as a session player for both studios historic recording run from 1962 through the mid 1970’s, continuing on sessions into the 1990’s. His trumpet can still be heard on classic recordings by Bobbie Gentry, Wilson Pickett, Liza Minnelli, Clarence Carter, The Osmonds, Donny Osmond, Etta James, Candi Staton, Jimmy Cliff, Bobby Womack, and countless others. One of the highlights of his career was playing with the legendary guitarist Duane Allman on Wilson Pickett’s album “Hey Jude”. Jack earned a reputation locally as the “one-armed trumpet player” and was known by many in the community. Outside the studio, Jack played with the house band for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Awards shows, and the local Shoals Big Band. Jack was a regular feature at the annual W.C.Handy Festival, playing the opening ceremonies for many years. Jack played at many private events including numerous military funerals and was given an award for his contributions by the American Legion. He had many trumpet students over the years, and also volunteered with an adult literacy program teaching adults to read. Additionally, Jack was an avid runner, running at his beloved TVA Trail and was a strong advocate to protect the trail. He is estimated to have run thousands of miles during the 40 years he ran, averaging 5 – 7 miles a day. One close friend that was a runner that ran TVA trail ask him how many miles have you ran cause i have ran a lot at TVA and he just kindly said “over a thousand miles (WOW). He ran for his health, and to expand his lung capacity to help him with his trumpet playing. He also played his trumpet at Highland Baptist Church for many years while a member.
The family would like to thank Affinity Hospice and the amazing heartfelt care they extended to Jack in his last months.
Jack is survived by wife Irene Peck of Florence; two daughters Suzanne Serrano (Eddie), Chagrin Falls, OH; Allison Lund (Erik), Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Sisters: Nancy Lucht, Seattle, WA; Susie Smith, Fredericksburg, TX; Julie Howard, Nashville, TN. Stepdaughter Alicia Owens, and step grandchildren Alyssa Tapia, and Michael Nestle; nieces and nephews; and many extended family members in Lebanon, OH.
