The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Barry Peacock is hanging it up after 29 years as superintendent of public works at the town of Coulee Dam. His final day will be Aug. 31.

He plans to take it easy for awhile, and then do something that doesn't require him to be in a certain place every day.

The community and friends will have an opportunity to say farewell and thank him for his service to the town this Friday from 1-3 p.m. at the community room at city hall. The public is invited.

Peacock has only words of praise and thanks for his Coulee Dam experiences. He has high regards for his staff of five, particularly Tim Lynch who has been here all of the 29 years and several before.

Barry and his wife Vivian, who is originally from Yakima, met when he was in public works in the town of Goldendale.

The couple has six children and, Barry says, "12 or 13 grandchildren," as he hurriedly started the count on his fingers.

Barry isn't the type of person who sits around very long.

He and his wife, who are active in Banks Lake Bible Church, are thinking of going on a mission or two during the early days of retirement. They have already gone on two missions to Honduras where they traveled to a number of small villages doing gospel work and helping people.

Peacock originally hails from Helena, Montana, where he graduated from high school and attended the University of Montana in Helena.

From there, Barry got involved with the Sambo's Restaurant chain in Puyallup, briefly. "I did some restaurant cooking while in high school," Barry confided. He started washing dishes, and then gravitated to a cooking role.

The two like to run all over in their four-wheelers, something that will no doubt occupy a bit of their time. Then there's Montana pulling for a visit. Barry likes to fish, so there's more activity.

But after 29 years of being called in the middle of the night on emergencies, there probably won't be too much slack time.

Looking back, Barry remembers the downpour of rain that caused huge flooding problems about 10 years ago. "It was a real mess," Peacock notes as he describes probably the worst thing that happened to the town during his 29 years.

One thing he is certain of: coming to Coulee Dam was one of the best things that ever happened to him.

The public is invited to stop by and bid him well this Friday from 1-3 p.m.