Spokane Friends Chaplain Ken Peacock dies, recognized in hospital ‘honor walk‘
News Story by FāVS Staff
Ken Peacock, Spokane Friends Meeting’s part-time chaplain and pastor of congregational care, died on Nov. 23 after suffering a brain bleed.
On Saturday a large group of family and friends gathered at Sacred Heart Hospital for an “honor walk” to pay tribute to Peacock, who had been in the ICU for several days. According to an announcement from Spokane Friends Meeting, they lined the hallways to pay their respects and recognize that his organs would give new life to others in need.
“It was a fitting tribute to someone who loved to serve others,” the church posted.
One of the first public announcements of Peacock’s emergency hospitalization came from Millwood Community Presbyterian Church Administrator Christy Heston, with the Meal Train announcement for Peacock’s wife and two daughters.
Peacock helped lead Millwood as an elder. He attended this church with his family in addition to his role at Spokane Friends.
The same day as Heston’s announcement, Amy Peacock, Ken Peacock’s wife, also posted two photographs of her husband around 1 p.m. The first one has him standing with his family (featured at the top of this article). The second is a photograph of Ken Peacock, unconscious in a hospital bed, surrounded by his wife and two daughters, with a Bible laying on his chest, opened to a highlighted, unknown passage of scripture.
On Aug. 22, FāVS News published a feature story about his faith journey and how he became a part-time Quaker chaplain.
Raised Baptist, he explored Pentacostialism, eventually arriving at Presbyterianism and Quakerism.
Peacock found himself visiting a Meeting (what Spokane Friends’ calls their services) to enrich his prayer life. He found it in the silences that are a large part of a Meeting.
When he learned the Spokane Friends were looking for a chaplain, he applied.
“I feel called to comfort, care and encourage people,” he said.
He had a master’s in Child and Youth Studies from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s in Theology from Whitworth University. He also completed the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center to become a chaplain.
In his last Spokane Friend’s newsletter, available on the Meeting’s website, Ken Peacock wrote about Jesus’ hope and how it is different than the hope we get from politicians, which is not based on human ability or personal charisma.
“The promises of this hope are based on the power of Jesus. This was demonstrated in the Cross and Resurrection,” he wrote. “Jesus defeated death, the ‘ultimate’ power.’ I have nothing to do to make this hope real. This hope is real because Jesus has made it real. … On this I can rest.”
