Eugene “Gene” Donald Peel, 82, of Perry passed away peacefully Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Gene’s visitation will be held Thursday, July 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Perry Chapel, with a Rosary service beginning at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 18 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Perry. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa.
Gene was born May 3, 1943, in Perry, Iowa, the son of Donald and Martha Peel.
Many days of Gene’s early life were spent helping his grandparents on the Kastner farm. He had many fond memories of time spent there with his brother and family.
Gene graduated from Perry High School in 1961. He attended Iowa State University from 1961 to 1962.
He worked for a local construction company for several years and then joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1966 to 1972 while working for the Milwaukee Railroad.
He met his future wife in June of 1966, when she came looking for an apartment in Perry while he was working construction. He married his beloved wife, Victoria (Vickie) McCoy, in November 1967. They made their home in Perry for 58 years, where they raised their four children.
Gene was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He participated in four Railroad Historical Associations and Societies and shared his beloved model train collection.
He volunteered at the Perry Historic Preservation Commission and the Perry Public Library.
Gene worked for the Milwaukee railroad in Perry in the engineering department, a true dream job. When the railroad closed in Perry, he was transferred to Minneapolis, and every weekend he would drive home to be with his family. He did this for two years before they offered him a job in Chicago. It was then he decided to stop working for the railroad after 17 years and come back home.
Gene started working for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in August 1982 as a draftsman in the Engineering Bureau at the Wallace State Office Building in Des Moines. He designed numerous park facilities throughout the state.
Gene retired after 28 years with the DNR in June 2010, leaving a lasting record of his work to be enjoyed by park visitors for generations.
After retiring, he enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s many activities and sporting events. He sat through countless dance recitals, soccer games and wrestling meets.
He could also be seen tailgating and cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones and watching the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Vikings.
Anyone who knew Gene would hear him talk passionately about his many hobbies, which included trains, tractors, coins, stamps, reading books, constructing models, answering “Jeopardy” questions, watching old Western TV shows, such as “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza,” and talking about history.
Gene knew a little something about everything.
Gene was also very artistic, creative and meticulous with everything he did. He helped his children with every science project. He was the “go to” for algebra help as well. He was the one a call was placed to when you were having car troubles, appliance issues or something needed fixing.
He also loved talking to his sons about anything “Star Wars,” whether it was the movies or collectables.
Gene was a man of few words, but he loved his family and friends dearly. In the end, he struggled to speak but left a legacy by passing on not only his collections but, more importantly, his passion and wisdom to all who were willing to listen.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Martha; his sister-in-law, Jo Gayle; and several aunts and uncles.
Gene is survived by his wife, Vickie; his children, Michael (Brenna) Peel of Ankeny, Shannon (Mary) Peel of Ames, Amy (Chad) Tunink of Grimes and Theresa (Chris) Hughes of Ankeny; his grandchildren, Eimile Peel, Libbie Peel, Haylee Peel, Kaylyn Peel, Gable Tunink, Karley Tunink, Layla Hughes, Emmersyn Hughes, Ryder Hughes and Laney Hughes; his brother, Robert Peel of Perry; and one niece, Jessica (Andrew) Peel-Austin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Perry Public Library or the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Perry. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.
