Merlin Deeon Peay D.d.s.

Dr. Merlin D. Peay died at the age of 87 on Dec. 7, 2013. He was born in Magna, Utah on March 16, 1926 and was preceded in death by his parents Jessie Merlin Peay and Ruth Lambert Peay. Severe pain limited his activity and he died from a pulmonary embolism. He is survived by his wife Darla Brister Peay, children Kimberly A. Peay of Washington, D.C., Kent D. Peay and wife Chris of Bristol, Tn., Wyona C. Peay of Albuquerque, Aaron D. Peay of Albuquerque, daughter-in-law Nicole Peay, adopted son Dennis B. Fredenburg and wife Paulita A. Fredenburg of Rio Rancho, brother Dr. Richard W. Peay and wife Edith of Paradise Valley, Az., brother-in-law James H. Brister and eight grandchildren, Benjamin, Victoria, Matthew, Jonathan, Elainna, Natalie, Corey, and Josh. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and two brothers of Albuquerque. He graduated from Clifton High school in Clifton, Arizona and at the age of 17 joined the United States Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Hancock on the flight deck from 1944 through 1945 in some of the worst battles in the South China Sea and South Pacific of which he seldom spoke of and only in a generic manner. He did show us recently a small piece of a Kamikaze that hit the flight deck of the ship. He graduated from the University of Arizona in Pharmacy and worked in the copper mines of Phelps Dodge in Morenci, Az. He graduated from University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry first in his class with top honors. He practiced general Dentistry in Morenci, Az. and Safford, Az. for ten years and charged $5.00 for a filling and $2.00 for an extraction. Price conscious patients chose the $2.00 option. He graduated from Baylor College of Orthodontics in Dallas, Texas in 1966 and practiced in Albuquerque, NM, Gallup, NM and Grants NM. He was a licensed pilot and combined his love of flying with his passion for Orthodontics. He flew his plane from Albuquerque to Gallup for 26 years earning him the nicknames "Doc Peay" and "The Flying Orthodontist." Dr. Peay literally put "smiles" on thousands of patients' faces. He also served on the Cleft Palate team treating patients with severe palate deformities. He had a passion for airplanes and owned many during his lifetime. He built a helicopter but Darla refused to let him fly it. He retired at the age of 71 ½ and spent time restoring his beloved Mooney Mite airplane from top to bottom. He was a lifelong member of the Quiet Birdmen, a fraternity of pilots enjoying years of shared stories, jokes and camaraderie. He was an avid collector of Model-A's, owning nearly every model at one point or another. He was unpretentious and had a quick wit and dry sense of humor, always willing to lend a hand. He grew up during the depression and had a penchant for saving, fixing and tinkering with all things mechanical. He touched countless lives with his kindness and was admired and respected by his family, many friends, former employees, patients and business associates. Surrounded by his loved ones, he died as he lived: garnering respect along the journey, with dignity, grace and without complaint. Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good. As the old pilot saying goes, Doc Peay has "Gone West" In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:00 PM at FRENCH - Wyoming; for information please contact Wyona at 917-8901.