James Bruce Peachey, 82

James Bruce Peachey, 82, of Bigfork died Monday, April 30, at age 82. Born in San Francisco on Feb. 8, 1925, he was the youngest of three children born to Glyndon and Robert Peachey.

While still in high school, he worked as a dental technician at Camp Roberts near Paso Robles, Calif., where his family moved when he was 10 years old.

After high school, he attended the University of California, Berkeley. While still in dental school at the University of California, San Francisco, he married Charlotte Bleecker French and entered private practice with his father the next year.

Peachey grew up loving the sea and his country. He joined the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer in 1949, serving aboard the USS Dixie, USS Princeton, and USS Frontier, and at Naval Air Stations, North Island and Miramar. A postgraduate course at the Bethesda Naval Hospital led to his assignment as dental officer for the VC-33 squadron in Atlantic City, N.J. He retired from the Navy in 1969 as a captain, and practiced dentistry in San Diego until 1993.

He was a longtime member of the San Diego Yacht Club, racing both Lightning and Soling sailboats to many victories, and he was an active member of the tennis group there. The pleasure and frustration he found in the game of golf remained with him throughout most of his life.

Enjoying motor-home travel, Peachey and his wife explored many parts of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, including Alaska. After Peachey retired from dentistry and French retired from teaching, the couple set out in their motor home to find the 'Promised Land.' Finding it waiting for them in Northwest Montana, they settled in Bigfork in 1994. They continued to travel, indulging their shared love of history by following the route of Lewis and Clark and exploring old Montana mining towns. Most recently, they experienced the beauty and history of France on a river barge and visited ancient historic sites in Greece.

Peachey is survived by his wife of 60 years; his children, Glyndon Kimbrough and her husband, Kenneth, of Midland, Texas; Stephen Peachey and his wife, Colleen, of Tualatin, Ore.; Douglas Peachey and his wife, Nona, of Ivoryton, Conn.; and Thomas Peachey and his wife, Susan, of The Dalles, Ore.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his sister, Louise Webb, of San Diego. This family is tied together by their love for each other and their shared passion for vocal harmonies.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, at the Swan River Community Hall.

The family requests that contributions be made to the Hall where Peachey, a dedicated board member since 1999, volunteered countless hours to help maintain this historic building. Send contributions to the Swan River Community Hall, in care of Linda Russell, 4750 Foothill Road, Bigfork, MT 59911.