Douglas Michael Peay

OBITUARY FOR DOUG PEAY

1/15/1954 – 3/31/2024

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 15, 1954 in Ft. Collins, Colorado to Claude and Mildred Peay the 8^th 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 years. Juma was a great influence throughout his life. Next came tree trimming and landscaping and then on to own 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 to 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 venture projects with the likes of Hensel Phelps and Kiewit Construction.  The biggest projects include: Five Points Plaza; the Denver Pavilions; the Convention 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, he joined a couple small construction companies (Mendel and Williams) that focused on tenant finish and landed as 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.  He also loved mentoring people about the industry and developed many meaningful relationships with his subcontractors. 
Although he worked hard, he 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 knowledge of the origins of the songs. Sitting was not the something he did well. He 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.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years Edith (Edie)White Peay and his daughter Dr. Johannah 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 surviving siblings, Gregory Peay (Julia), Colette Grimshaw, Camella Ford, Claudia Williamson, Christine Cappuccino (William), James Peay (Terrie), Stephen Peay (Jodi) and Thomas Peay and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

We are forever grateful for the excellent care he received at UC Health Anschutz Neurology Dept and the teams in the Pulmonary, Physical Therapy Dept, Speech Therapists, Dieticians and complete ALS Clinic held there on Thursdays.
 Our hearts are full with gratitude for the care and support of the amazing staff at 
 ALS United Rocky Mountain, 10855 Dover Street #500, Westminster, CO  80021. Their loving and caring team, loan closet and support groups kept us focused and educated in 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 as follows:  https://alsrockymountain.org

A Celebration of life Service has been planned at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO  80246 on Friday May 3^rd 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 2^nd -4^th.See link for details:   https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/colorado/hyatt-place-denver-cherry-creek/denzc?corp_id=G-CBOL