Douglas (Doug) Michael Peay
1954-01-01 2024-03-31
Douglas (Doug) Michael Peay,70, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2024 in Denver, Colorado, after a brave battle with Bulbar ALS.
He was born January 1, 1954 in Ft. Collins, Colorado, to Claude and Mildred Peay - the 8th out of 11 children. In 1961, the family moved to Denver and his growing up years were filled with love and adventure. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, he did attend some college at CU Boulder before he went on to work running a record store with his brother, Jim, in Capitol Hill that his father and brother, Greg, established next to Juma's barbershop for a couple of years. Juma was a great influence throughout his life.
Next came tree trimming and landscaping and then on to owning his own construction company called, Under Construction "A job that will last forever". He decided it was best to work for someone else so he could focus on what he loved best....building things. After tiring of residential work, his next move was to go into the commercial side where he spent a long and successful career as a Commercial Construction Superintendent with a prominent minority construction company, J.A. Walker, and took great pride in changing the downtown landscape through various joint projects with the likes of Hensel Phipps and Kiewit Construction. The biggest projects included: Five Points Plaza, the Denver Pavillions; the Convedntion Center Expansion, the Wellington Webb Building, overseeing the baggage redesign system at DIA, DIA"s Fire Station No 2, Northfield Shopping Center and Union Station. After J.A. Walker closed, Doug joined a couple small construction companies (Mendel and Williams) that focused on tenant finish and then landed his last job for a couple years at Emerald Construction in April 2023. It was the perfect and most enjoyable job to end his career on and he would still be working there if it wasn't for his ALS illness. Retirement was not easy for him as he loved to work, he loved people and was a master at getting people of all backgrounds to work together to complete complex projects safely and on time. He was very well respected and well-liked by all and he was always trying to find a way to work smarter, faster and safer. Doug also loved mentoring people about the industry and developed many meaningful relationships with his subcontractors.
Although he worked hard, Doug also played hard. He was always home to make dinner and spend time with his family. He loved to cook as anyone who attended our annual pumpkin party would know, as he perfected his green chili. His strawberry rhubarb pie was also unmatched. He could always be found playing music and loved to share his knhowledge of the origins of the songs. Sitting was not something he did well. Doug loved to tinker with projects and find the right tool or piece to complete the project. He was always working or planning something. He so loved his friends and could be seen laughing and sharing stories over a Jameson.
Doug is survived by his wife of 41 years, Edith (Edie) White Peay and his daughter,, Dr. Johanah Peay (Richard O'Neil) whom he loved dearly. He is predeceased by his parents, Claude and Mildred Peay, his sisters Pamela Peay and Cynthia Brannan and survived by siblings, Gregory Peay (Julia), Colette Grimsaw, Camella Ford, Claudia Williamson, Christine Cappucino (William), James Peay (Terrie), Stephen Peay (Jodi) and Thomas Peay plus many wonderful niees and nephews.
We are forevere grateful for the excellent care he received at UC Health-Anchurtz Neurology Dept. and the teams in the Pulmonary Dept., Physical Therapy Dept. Speech Therapists, Dieticians and complete ALS Clinic held there on Thursdays. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the care and support of the amazing staff at ALS Rocky Mountian, 10855 Dover Street #500, Westminster, CO 80021. Their loving and caring team, loan closet and support groups kept us focused and educated on everything ALS. We could not have made this journey without them.
In lieu of flowers, we would most appreciate that this local ALS chapter be the recipient of any donations in support of this amazing organization. Link is as follows: https://alsrockymountain.org.
A Celebration of Life has been planned at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd.., Denver, CO 80246 on Friday, May 3rd at 2pm. Streaming service will be available for those who cannot attend.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Place, 4150 E. Mississippi Avenue, Denver, CO 80246 for those that would like accommodations arriving from out-of-town May 2nd--4th. See link for details: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/colorado/hyatt-place-denver-cherry-creek/denzc?corp_id=G-CBOL.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/douglas-peay-obituary?id=54838079#obituary
He was born January 1, 1954 in Ft. Collins, Colorado, to Claude and Mildred Peay - the 8th out of 11 children. In 1961, the family moved to Denver and his growing up years were filled with love and adventure. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, he did attend some college at CU Boulder before he went on to work running a record store with his brother, Jim, in Capitol Hill that his father and brother, Greg, established next to Juma's barbershop for a couple of years. Juma was a great influence throughout his life.
Next came tree trimming and landscaping and then on to owning his own construction company called, Under Construction "A job that will last forever". He decided it was best to work for someone else so he could focus on what he loved best....building things. After tiring of residential work, his next move was to go into the commercial side where he spent a long and successful career as a Commercial Construction Superintendent with a prominent minority construction company, J.A. Walker, and took great pride in changing the downtown landscape through various joint projects with the likes of Hensel Phipps and Kiewit Construction. The biggest projects included: Five Points Plaza, the Denver Pavillions; the Convedntion Center Expansion, the Wellington Webb Building, overseeing the baggage redesign system at DIA, DIA"s Fire Station No 2, Northfield Shopping Center and Union Station. After J.A. Walker closed, Doug joined a couple small construction companies (Mendel and Williams) that focused on tenant finish and then landed his last job for a couple years at Emerald Construction in April 2023. It was the perfect and most enjoyable job to end his career on and he would still be working there if it wasn't for his ALS illness. Retirement was not easy for him as he loved to work, he loved people and was a master at getting people of all backgrounds to work together to complete complex projects safely and on time. He was very well respected and well-liked by all and he was always trying to find a way to work smarter, faster and safer. Doug also loved mentoring people about the industry and developed many meaningful relationships with his subcontractors.
Although he worked hard, Doug also played hard. He was always home to make dinner and spend time with his family. He loved to cook as anyone who attended our annual pumpkin party would know, as he perfected his green chili. His strawberry rhubarb pie was also unmatched. He could always be found playing music and loved to share his knhowledge of the origins of the songs. Sitting was not something he did well. Doug loved to tinker with projects and find the right tool or piece to complete the project. He was always working or planning something. He so loved his friends and could be seen laughing and sharing stories over a Jameson.
Doug is survived by his wife of 41 years, Edith (Edie) White Peay and his daughter,, Dr. Johanah Peay (Richard O'Neil) whom he loved dearly. He is predeceased by his parents, Claude and Mildred Peay, his sisters Pamela Peay and Cynthia Brannan and survived by siblings, Gregory Peay (Julia), Colette Grimsaw, Camella Ford, Claudia Williamson, Christine Cappucino (William), James Peay (Terrie), Stephen Peay (Jodi) and Thomas Peay plus many wonderful niees and nephews.
We are forevere grateful for the excellent care he received at UC Health-Anchurtz Neurology Dept. and the teams in the Pulmonary Dept., Physical Therapy Dept. Speech Therapists, Dieticians and complete ALS Clinic held there on Thursdays. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the care and support of the amazing staff at ALS Rocky Mountian, 10855 Dover Street #500, Westminster, CO 80021. Their loving and caring team, loan closet and support groups kept us focused and educated on everything ALS. We could not have made this journey without them.
In lieu of flowers, we would most appreciate that this local ALS chapter be the recipient of any donations in support of this amazing organization. Link is as follows: https://alsrockymountain.org.
A Celebration of Life has been planned at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd.., Denver, CO 80246 on Friday, May 3rd at 2pm. Streaming service will be available for those who cannot attend.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Place, 4150 E. Mississippi Avenue, Denver, CO 80246 for those that would like accommodations arriving from out-of-town May 2nd--4th. See link for details: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/colorado/hyatt-place-denver-cherry-creek/denzc?corp_id=G-CBOL.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/douglas-peay-obituary?id=54838079#obituary