Christopher Dean Peacock

Chris Peacock, wonderful father, trusted friend, and well-known Visalia small business operator, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born on March 1, 1947, in Tulsa Oklahoma, to Byron and Valencia Peacock. The family moved to Visalia in the early 1950's while Chris was a young boy. Chris grew up in Visalia where he attended Mount Whitney High School graduating in 1965. Chris married the love of his life, Diane Buck, on November 15, 1968. The couple had two children, Jeremy, born in 1973 and Brian, born in 1978. His sons in turn had sons of their own Justin, Lane and Leo. Justin having Chris's first great granddaughter Kadence. Chris worked as a local school bus driver until 1980. Chris's uncle, Benny Leonard, had started a vacuum and sewing machine sales and service called "Sell-A-Vak", in 1945 behind an old white house on Chinowth Street in Visalia. In 1979 his uncle Benny was diagnosed with cancer and Chris began to learn the business. In 1980 Benny passed away and Chris became the owner of what would later be known as "Peacock's" vacuum and sewing machine shop. For the next 44 years, Chris worked tirelessly serving his community. In 1991 Chris's wife Diane was in a serious car accident. The accident left her hospitalized continuously for the next 22 months until she passed away in March of 1993. This was a very difficult time for Chris; visiting Diane in the hospital, running his business and caring for two teenage sons. He handled the situation with a strength and class that only Chris could. Chris was an avid bass fisherman. He was a member of the Visalia Bass Club for many years holding multiple positions in the club. He won many tournaments and awards over the years including the clubs "Angler of the Year" in 1989. His love of fishing and the friendships he made in the fishing community would last his entire life. Chris did find love again. In 2000 he married Margie Movsessian from Kingsburg, CA. Chris and Margie spent the next 23 years together until her death in 2023. Chris loved Margie's family and took pride in being part of it. Chris was blessed with many grandchildren from Margie's 4 sons. Chris and Margie had many friends and spent a great amount of time with them. From Friday morning pancakes or taco night with the neighbors, to Monday casino trips and many, many dinners out, his friends played a huge roll in his life. As friends go, Chris was replete with them. You couldn't go anywhere with Chris and not run into someone he knew. In March of 2024 Chris took a fall and had to go to the hospital where it was discovered he had terminal cancer. Chris moved in with family and began his life's final journey. He also closed the store which had been his life for so many decades. Chris took a few rounds of chemo which was very hard on him. He decided pretty quickly that he wanted to enjoy what time he had left and stopped the treatments. His last months were filled with an outpouring of love from his family and friends. Lots of visitors, phone calls, and precious time spent with loved ones. Chris's sons and grandchildren all spent time caring for him; but his daughter in law Terry became perhaps his closest confidant during this time. She was there for him day and night taking care of his every need. Terry earned the affectionate nickname of "Nurse Ratched" which he always said with a big smile. He loved her, and she loved him. In between all the doctors and nursing visits there were many trips to the casino which he loved. There was even one final trip to the lake with his sons and grandsons. Chris fought hard to keep going for all of us. He fought all the way till Christmas giving his family what would be their final holiday together. Chris passed away on December 30, 2024, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his brothers Mark Peacock and Tim Peacock, sister-in-law Janey Peacock, his sons Jeremy Peacock and Brian Peacock, his daughters-in-law Terry Peacock and Alejandra Peacock, his grandsons Justin Kyle, Lane Peacock, and Leo Peacock and his great granddaughter Kadence Kyle. Chris was loved by all and will be missed by all who knew him. Memorial services will be held 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Reception services will be held 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Life Event Center, 135 E Caldwell Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Christopher Dean Peacock

March 1, 1947 - December 30, 2024