Clarence R. Peck was born in Harold, SD, son of George W. and Nona C. Gerelaman Peck. When he was eight, the family moved to the Seattle area. He attended the Des Moines grammar school, West Seattle High School, graduating with the class of 1912, and the University of Washington from 1912 to 1917, where his legal studies were interrupted by World War I. He joined the army and didn't leave until 38 years later, when he retired as a colonel. He served as the Executive Secretary of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff during World War II. He was instrumental in organizing the major conferences of the war at Quebec, Malta, Yalta, London and Pottsdam. During his military service he served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, and was awarded over forty distinguished service medals, including the United States Legion of Merit, the Order of British Merit and the Chinese Order of Yun Hui. He retired from active duty while serving in Washington D.C. on July 31, 1953. Clarence married Edna (Bird) Mae Orme in Seattle, WA on Aug 23, 1917. They had three children: John C. Peck, Jill Royer, and Bobbe Faulders. He later married Eleanor Stahl Fitch on Aug 10, 1962. He was cremated, with memorial services at the Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington, VA and inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery. Colonel Peck is honored by his grandson Hank Royer.