Duane Peck

DUANE BENTLEY PECK, 80, of Fulshear, was called to the Lord and Heaven on December 26, 2023, in Buda, Texas.

She was born on November 24, 1943, to Carl Briscoe and Stella (Kennelly) Bentley in Houston, Texas. Duane grew up in Fulshear, where generations of her family also lived. The country lifestyle was one she held dear, working cattle, riding horseback, and tending to the chickens. She was proud to call Fulshear her hometown and lived there for 73 years of her life and cherished the many friendships that she had across Fort Bend County. Duane graduated from Katy High School, and furthered her education, earning a bachelor's degree at Texas A&I University in Kingsville. Duane raised her 3 children in Fulshear, and later moved to Buda, Texas to be closer to family. She was a fifth-generation member of First Fulshear Methodist Church and volunteered as a Methodist Youth Fellowship leader for many years.

Duane was a passionate educator that taught for Lamar CISD for 32 years.  She had a unique talent for instilling confidence and building a passion for learning.  She took great pride in her ability to teach all elementary-aged levels. Her kind spirit and genuine love of the kids allowed her to reach every child she taught, keeping in touch with many for years to follow. Duane’s kindness and skill was legendary at Huggins Elementary, where she earned many awards including Teacher of the Year.  She had a knack for making each child she taught feel special and safe in her classroom.  She secretly financed many trips to the school book fairs for children who might not have been able to afford such a luxury. She was known to buy clothing and food for some of those same children. Students long gone from school days frequently touched base with Duane through the years. They knew they could always count on her for a warm hug and a ready ear for their life updates. She celebrated each one as if they were kin. Kids appreciated that sincerity and they kept coming back. Duane was equally popular with faculty and staff at Huggins Elementary where she regularly shared her family recipes, organized money or meals for those in need and brought flowers from her garden for everyone to enjoy.

After retirement, she became a high demand substitute teacher, an afterschool tutor, and served as a board member of the Fulshear Cemetery Association.  She also volunteered as an instructor for the adult English as a Second Language class at the Fulshear Methodist Church for six years. Her gifts for helping others reached a new generation of learners in that role.  Besides language skills, she helped arrange field trips out of the classroom that would enhance their acquisition of cultural experiences. Always with a ready smile and hearty encouragement, Duane was a hit with second language learners too.

In her spare time, Duane enjoyed gardening, traveling and reading. She loved planning her adventures with close friends, traveling the globe and living life to its fullest.  Family and friends would often joke that she never met a stranger, often making new friends and exchanging life stories as everyone was drawn to her kind and genuine spirit. However, her biggest passion was being a Mom and grandmother to her 3 children, her 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren where she cheered from the sidelines and celebrated with pride their many achievements.

Duane is survived by her daughters: Mandy Borrel and husband, Rob, of Buda and Mindy Gardner and husband, Steve, of Austin; son: Tad Peck and wife, Chelsea, of Burleson; and grandchildren: Mitchell Borrel and wife, Emma, of Buda, Avery Borrel, Ben Gardner, Mady Gardner, Jack Gardner, Alexandra Wolfe and husband, Jeremy, Taylor Peck, Hailee Peck, Lily Peck, and Levi Peck, as well as two great-grandchildren Greyson and Juliette Wolfe.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Stella Bentley, and brother, Leigh John Bentley, Sr.

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to:

First Fulshear Methodist Church
PO Box 100
Fulshear, TX 77441