Darold Joseph Pekas

DAROLD JOSEPH PEKAS - 1/18/2018 Darold Joseph Pekas, age 79, passed away on January 18, 2018 near his home in Reliance, Wyoming after succumbing to cancer. Darold (Joseph) Pekas was born December 13, 1938 to Charley and Agnes (Gion) Pekas in Mott, ND. He attended elementary grade school in a one-room country school, and later spent two years at St. Mary's, (New England, ND) and graduated from Regent, ND high school in 1957 with honors. In High School he was involved in band, drama, and three sports, including football. Additionally he helped teach grade school children whenever teachers needed his help. He was awarded a scholarship to Creighton University Medical School in Omaha, NE. He worked as a Research Assistant at Loyola University, School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. He returned to western North Dakota and worked in exploration for oil. Darold moved to Reliance, WY in 1973 where he resided and worked as a Union carpenter (Carpenters Local 1620) until his retirement. He enjoyed golf, horses, the great outdoors, hunting, football (Broncos) astronomy, archeology, and classical music. Darold is survived by his son, Morgan (Teresa) Splichal and two grandchildren: Morgan Jr. (Raechell) Splichal and Tiffany (Dan) Paradis, and his sister-in-law Lori (Splichal) Pekas of Arvada, CO. Darold is also survived by two brothers, Jerome Pekas of Medford, OR and Myron (Erlyce) Pekas of Phoenix, AZ, and five sisters: Charlene Afremow of Sonoma, CA, Dorene Tollefson of West Fargo, ND, Donna Jahner (Tony) of Dickinson, ND, sister ReNae Ashland (Bart) of Cooperstown, ND and Cheri Pekas of Springfield, OR in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Darold was preceded in death by his niece Renelda Jahner (1965), niece Paula Friedt (1965), nephew Jesse Pekas (1975), niece Christine Weisgerber (1976), sister Beverly (Pekas) Hammond (1978), nephew Dean Tollefson (1984), father Charley Pekas, (1987), niece Lisa (Pekas) Ford (1988), sister Josella (Pekas) Friedt (1991), brother Dwayne Pekas (1996), brother Loren Pekas (2004), niece Teri (Pekas) Labriola (2009), mother Agnes (Gion) Pekas (2009), and niece Michelle (Pekas) Ellenson (2016). Darold donated his body to the University of Utah, School of Medicine for medical science and teaching. The Pekas and Splichal families plan a Memorial Service and distribution of his ashes at a later date to be announced. Darold will be missed by those of us who loved him and appreciated his intelligent and unique personality, and his extraordinary memory.