A celebration of the life of Jeremy Peck was held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Alki Congregational United Church 6115 s.w. Hinds St. in West Seattle. The service was led by Pastor Jimmy Hester of the Oasis Christian Fellowship.

More than 200 people crowded into the space to honor the life of their friend and hear and share stories about their time with him.

Peck, who disappeared in the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 2010 was missing for more than three weeks when his body washed up on the shores of Bainbridge Island. No cause of death has yet been announced. That's expected in a few weeks but many in attendance believe it was foul play.

Jeremy Peck was born on Dec. 10, 1986 to Stephen and Diane Peck came to live with his uncle John in Seattle at the age of 10 after his mother died. He spent the last 14 years of his life in West Seattle.

While his friends and family are still in pain about his death, the day was given over primarily to laughter though many also shed tears.

When Pastor Jimmy told everyone not to hold back "Just because we're in a church and just because I'm a pastor…tell the story like it is. That's the way it's supposed to be," it meant they were free to be themselves and celebrate the life of Jeremy Peck in ways that were funny, touching, sometimes profane and deeply personal.

Close friend Travis Gagner did most of the talking, and recalled several stories that had those attending laughing with many rising to share their own experiences with Peck. He talked about partying and watering down his uncle's liquor, and other funny moments from their youth. As the pastor requested, the stories often had references to drinking, smoking marijuana and occasional bad behavior but everyone understood that these were the realities of his life. Gagner said, "He will be forever missed and never forgotten."

At one point in the service, the members of the city wide basketball team that Peck played on rose to recall their own memories of him. Coached by John Peck, the team was together for a long time and Ben Doty explained that at first they were not very good. Through encouragement and persistence they went on to win the championship. An experience they all regarded as one of "the best things that ever happened," as Doty put it.

One very special guest of the day was his sister Bobbi Jo, 21, who was allowed to attend, accompanied by two Department of Corrections officers. She has been incarcerated in the women's prison in Purdy. She expects to be released in late June. Her 2 year old daughter Tylar who was in attendance, lives with a family friend.

She said, "I'm just torn. I don't know who would do such a thing to my brother. Jeremy was my best friend." Later she was allowed to speak to the gathering and choking back tears she said," Jeremy, my brother, my friend, my other half. I miss him so much. I know he's waiting for me, with my mom. Jeremy was always the life of the party. (…) We were the oddest brotherly sister love, ever, in the world (…) We did everything together. Like WWF in the basement, to doing flips off the porch (…) how we used to talk to each other through the vent when we were grounded (…) I think it took his loss for me to change. I feel like I've hurt a lot of people and I'm sorry. All I want to do is to come home and act right and be a Mom. It took my brother's death to save me."

The words inside the program were written as if they came from Jeremy. "Let's try to remember the good times we had together , cause we had so many!
From kickin it in Gramma's basement to our stairs on Genesee, to all the skating, snowboarding & basketball. Crusin with Adam and Marcus, to all the camping we did with my Uncle John, Suzanne, Andy & Bobbi, right up to we were all bowling together.

Man, I'm gonna miss you guys!!!

But cha know, it's beautiful up here, and I'm with my mom again. So, really I'm in good hands... I'll be waiting to see y'all one day.

I love you guys.

-P "

Near the close of the event, one person, thought by some to have knowledge of the events the night Peck disappeared, tried to enter the church. It led to a confrontation and police were called but it ended without incident.

The event at the church was followed by a wake at the Masonic Hall where they served his favorite meal.
That meal was symbolic. It was turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the cob, and cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving. Which is what nearly everyone who knew Jeremy Peck expressed on this day of remembrance.