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Obituary For Tom Peebles
Dr. Tom Peebles
May 26, 1975 – June 7, 2023
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Dr. Tom Peebles on June 7th, 2023, in Victoria BC. Tom was 48 years old and was at a very happy, healthy and hopeful time in his life.
Tom was the middle child of three sons to Andrew Peebles and Patricia McClurkin. He was born on May 26th, 1975 in Penticton, BC. Tom grew up with his family on a farm in Falkland, BC. At Fulton Secondary school in Vernon, Tom developed his love for physics, science, math and medicine. He graduated in 1993 and was awarded the Nixon Wenger Scholarship, Vernon Rotary Club Scholarship, Passport to Education and a $10,000 four-year Canada Scholarship for outstanding grades through high school.
After graduating high school, Tom began post secondary education at the University of Alberta obtaining his Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with distinction (1997). In 2001, he graduated medical school on the Dean’s Honors List and was awarded the E.W. Kuder Scholarship In Surgery. His dream had been to work in a rural setting and be the doctor who could care for his entire community. After completing his residency in Rural Family Medicine he became an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta. He was always passionate about teaching his students and residents and loved conveying his knowledge and skill to future generations of physicians. He was truly a “Jack of all trades”, and obtained his College of Family Physicians of Canada certification in Emergency Medicine to become one of Grande Prairie’s first certified emergency physicians. He was also trained in minor surgical procedures and, in addition to offering locum services, he offered surgical services in rural Alberta, particularly at the Beaverlodge Hospital. He was head of the emergency department in Grande Prairie for over a decade and was instrumental in planning and developing the new QEII emergency department. He was a source of knowledge, light and love for all of those who ever had the privilege to work with him.
He met Jodi Svendsen in Edmonton, AB and they were married in August of 1999. On their first date he wrote out the formula for time travel on a paper napkin; he was the best looking nerd you ever met. In 2001, Tom and Jodi moved to Grande Prairie, AB and were married for 20 years. They had many wonderful memories with their three daughters, Brooke (21), Ava (18) and Scarlett (16). Whenever he wasn’t working, he loved to spend time with his three daughters and many close friends. Even amidst all of his responsibilities and professional pursuits, Tom always prioritized time with his family. He told his girls that no matter what he was doing, if they called twice, he would answer. He kept that promise for his entire life. For well over a year, Tom had been sending his three daughters ‘Dad Jokes Of The Day’, as he loved to make them laugh. Tom was always willing to help others and set an example for his children and friends on what selfless service looks like. If he ever saw a homeless person on the street, he would go buy food for them and take time to talk to them. If he saw an elderly lady at the grocery store, he would always offer to carry her groceries. If anyone was ever in need of medical help within our community, he would be the first person there. He was the best homework helper (he should get credit for most of his daughters’ good grades). He was a never ending source of knowledge and excelled at everything he did. If they needed him to finish an art project, he became Picasso, if they needed help with math, he was like Einstein. You could go to him with any question and he would have a well thought out answer and even if he didn’t, he would not rest until he did. Tom loved science and physics; he would often spend time reading books and researching new theories and ideas. Tom was also very active; he loved kitesurfing, snowboarding, surfing, exercising, yoga, along with many other sports and activities. He had a heart for adventure and making memories with those he loved. Tom was very spiritual and believed that everything happened for a reason. He found much healing, peace and love as he deepened his quest to understand the true meaning of life.
With his new found love for the island, he enjoyed going for long walks along the ocean, meeting new friends, journaling on his ideas, meditating on the purpose of life and exploring new concepts. He would often call a friend or one of his daughters to tell them about new revelations he was having and the peace he was discovering in his life. He came to the conclusion that the most important thing in life is love.
He is survived by his loving parents, Andrew and Patricia, his brothers Scott and Patrick (Undra), his daughters Brooke, Ava and Scarlett, and the mother of his children, Jodi. He is also survived by his nieces, Grace Peebles, Anna Peebles and Eve Peebles, his nephews, Connor Svendsen and Reid Svendsen, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be greatly missed by very close friends Felix and Chloe Soibelman, Duane and Lisa Bancesco, Colin and Christine Oberg, Darren Spencer, along with many others.
To say that his family and friends will miss him greatly is an understatement. Between the patients he cared for and the doctors and nurses he worked with, Tom was a well respected and cherished colleague and a loyal friend to many. He made an impact on every person he crossed paths with as he was the most empathetic and compassionate man. We should all live life like Tom did.
Tom had a few life mottos that he lived by:
“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” – Spiderman
“Be Better, Be Different” – Tom Peebles
His celebration of life will be held at the TARA Centre (Evergreen Park) on June 23rd starting at 4pm. It is open to everyone who wishes to attend and celebrate his life.
The family wishes memorial contributions to be made to a homeless shelter:
Wapiti Dorm in Grande Prairie
Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
Vernon Upper Room Mission
and to perform a random act of kindness in his memory.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com
Services
23
Jun
Celebration of Life
04:00 PM
Tara Center at Evergreen Park 55051 Twp Rd 710 Grande Prairie, AB T2E 8MT
26/05/1975 07/06/2023
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta
death notice Tom Peebles 26/05/1975 07/06/2023
obituaries notice Tom Peebles 26/05/1975 07/06/2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Tom Peebles 26/05/1975 07/06/2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
