Charlie Peek

Charlie Peek, a musician, retired journalist and connoisseur of hats and homemade biscuits, died Aug. 26, 2025, wrapping up his life as he had conducted it: arriving earlier than necessary at his destination.

Charles Edward Peek was born April 19, 1951 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland where his father, Vaughty Eugene Peek, and mother, Hazel Dillingham Peek, were stationed after World War II.

The trio later settled in Charlotte, where Charlie graduated high school and received a bachelor’s in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He then embarked on a series of distinct careers that, on a resume, would suggest he couldn’t hold down a job. In fact, his wide range of interests and abilities allowed him to master one skill, work at it until it became tedious, and move on to another.

He followed his heart to newspaper jobs along the coast of Florida and across North Carolina. He wrote a column for a community paper in the mountains, taught snow-skiing, coached golf and tennis and wrote ads for a major home-improvement store chain.

In his spare time, he taught himself fly-fishing and woodworking, well before YouTube came along with instructional videos.

After telling the stories of northwestern North Carolina for the Winston-Salem Journal in the 1980s and ‘90s, he pursued a photography degree from Randolph Community College in Asheboro and went back into newspapers as a photographer, first at the New Bern Sun Journal and then the Cary News. Just like his stories, his photos were perfectly focused. He never missed a deadline.

In the early 2000s he became spokesman for the N.C. State Parks. Before retiring in 2016, he hiked, camped, kayaked and scrambled up rocky crags to photograph every unit of the State Parks system, writing about their natural marvels and the stewards who cared for them. Charlie embraced the job so thoroughly that his wardrobe gradually shifted entirely to shades of Ranger green and gray.

He married News & Observer reporter Martha Quillin in 1993. The couple moved to Sanford in 1999 and in 2001, celebrated the birth of Mads. Charlie applied his characteristic determination to becoming a creative playmate, Disney movie prince and pirate and building-blocks contractor for his beloved only child’s entertainment.

In retirement, Charlie assigned himself to photo-documenting New Hope Valley Railway’s restoration of old No. 17 steam locomotive in Bonsal. He watched Mads grow into a compassionate and capable adult, for which he took no credit but immense pride. He also went back to the water and the stage, kayaking, fly-fishing and playing and performing music.

He was a regular at jam sessions at Maness’ Pottery in Carthage and Circle M City in Sanford. He put together a band called “Fine Edge” that quietly dazzled at area bars and breweries.

A baritone with a smoker’s growl, he could make an audience laugh or cry. He was most effective with a song that told a story the way he liked to do in print: Leon Everette’s “Hurricane,” Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” and anything by John Prine. In recent years, he was the long-haired sideman in Rod Brady and Rusted Luck, playing fiddle and mandolin, occasionally guitar or bass, at venues in Lee, Moore, Wake and Randolph counties.

Had he known it would be needed, he would have crafted his own obit to save his wife the trouble and to ensure it was completed on time.

Throughout his life, Charlie kept objects only as long as he needed them or until new and better iterations came along. He engaged in activities until he perfected and grew bored with them. But people he loved, admired, made meaningful music or memories with, he treasured always.

He is survived by his wife, of Sanford; son, of Greensboro; and mother, of Mooresville.

A celebration of his life and excellence will be scheduled later.

Below please find a link to Charlie's photography:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliepeek/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMelbNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKU3VLV3BxUlVpS2NiZUZKAR7p_n8VuKRn71f6vM_tHaNeVuKD_0zW2uLMW_hANQs4A2doz1xXgu30jUJG9Q_aem_Sx_GUCcRv3qb5IdeEmbt1Q.