John Anthony Peake

08/22/1944 - 09/24/2026

John Anthony “Tony” Peake, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 24th, at Nazareth Home in Louisville, KY. He was born August 22, 1944, outside Liverpool, England, to a British mother and an American GI father. After WWII ended, Tony and his mother sailed to the U.S. to join his father on his family’s farm in Hardin County, KY.

Tony attended St. James Catholic Elementary School in Elizabethtown, KY, and Elizabethtown Catholic High School for one year. He then enrolled in the Divine Word Seminary in Perrysburg, OH, to become a missionary priest. After graduation, Tony chose not to pursue the priesthood, and instead attended Bellarmine College, majoring in history.

While a member of the Bellarmine Chapter of the National Federation of Catholic College Students, Tony was instrumental in organizing groups from regional Catholic colleges to join him in volunteering with the Christian Appalachian Project, led by Father Ralph Beiting. As a result, he was awarded the Catholic Young Adult of the Year Award in 1965 by the National Catholic Youth Organization.

Tony sought his MA in Education at the University of Kentucky, living at the Catholic Newman Center during his studies. He then joined Teacher Corps in 1967 to teach in Breathitt County, KY, for two years.

Tony moved to Louisville in 1969 and taught in various West End schools before being invited by visionary educator Martha Ellison to serve on a committee to design Louisville’s first magnet program: The J. Graham Brown School, founded in 1971. He taught 5th grade there for 25 years and was an integral part of the school's community and legacy.

After retirement from JCPS, Tony taught at the Friends School of Louisville for seven years, where he became a cherished member of the community, loved by faculty, students, and parents alike.

Teaching was his life’s work. An innovative and inspirational educator, Tony connected deeply with his students and allowed them to explore their interests and become lifelong learners. His kindness, humor, and approachable personality resulted in his being a beloved teacher and colleague throughout his career.

Tony also volunteered extensively. He supported children receiving Hospice care, planted trees with the neighborhood association, offered time at the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center, and served on the Bellarmine University Alumni Committee. Most of all, he was a wonderful husband, devoted father, and the best granddad ever.

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Carole (Childress) Peake; daughters Bridget Dewson (Andrew) and Katherine Petty (Phillip); grandchildren Thomas and Emma Dewson, Benjamin, Pippa, and Gemma Petty; sister Helen Peake-Godin; nephew and niece Jonathon and Annie Godin and numerous cousins living in both Hardin County, KY, and the British Isles. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, John Able and Patricia McQueen Peake.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and community of Nazareth Home-Highlands for their loving care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 25th, from 2:00–5:00 P.M. For details, please email CelebrateTonyPeake@gmail.com.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Brown School Alumni Scholarship fund (https://bit.ly/3VlWK7u), Nazareth Home — Highlands (https://www.nazhome.org/donations/) or National Parkinsons Institute (http://nationalparkinsonsinstitute.com/donate/).