Bruce Daniel Peeples

On February 14th, 2025, we lost a brilliant mind and our ultimate warrior.

Bruce Daniel Peeples, born on August 10th, 1954, to Bruce Nelson and Eva Virginia Peeples, came into the world as a beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed bundle of joy.

Known as “Dan” to his family, he was born with cerebral palsy, into a world that sometimes-lacked understanding and compassion for those with disabilities. But despite being underestimated and often pushed to the periphery, he never let that stop him. As a child on Utopia Ave in South Salt Lake, he was right out there with all the neighborhood boys, playing basketball, baseball, and golf. At a young age, he could easily quote the baseball stats of every player and team in professional sports, going back decades. From Granite High to the University of Utah, his thirst for knowledge was unrelenting, with an impressive understanding of history, physics, and math.

For most of his adult life, Dan lived in Arizona, where he reveled in golfing on some of the most beautiful courses in the U.S. He would often surprise his playing partners with his incredible one-armed swing. Pebble Beach, with its breathtaking views, was his favorite course.

He was a business owner and successful entrepreneur. Even in retirement, he was always coming up with a brilliant plan, then getting his sisters, daughter, and sons involved, working together to help bring them to life. His family delighted in hearing the crazy stories he would tell about his travels across the country for business.

Dan was also an amazing poet, visual artist, wordsmith, and songwriter. In 2023, he self-published Ice Fishing on Enceladus: Poems of the Cosmos, where he explored space-time through poetry instead of physics and math. He also had an extensive catalog of songs like “Hearts on Fire” and “Jumping in the Jungle,” his children’s favorite. He recently completed a collection of short stories chronicling his memories and life adventures, sharing his candid reflections on both the challenges and triumphs.

Bold and daring, Dan was a lion and a pirate at heart. At 65, while “rocking crocs,” he took the stage for a 10-minute stand-up set at a comedy club, showing his fearless spirit. A dreamer to the very end, he continued to chase his passions, no matter the odds.

Dan’s beloved children—Adam Peeples, Sarah Peeples Dawson, and Aaron Peeples—will miss him deeply. He was fun, enthusiastic, and animated. Often an unconventional dad and grandfather, he was always ready with a pep talk, wisdom, and encouragement to support us in chasing our dreams. His pride in his grandchildren was endless, and he spoke of them often.

Whether he was Dad, Grandpa, Dan, or Bruce, to us all, he will forever be remembered as our Norwegian Viking Warrior. His passing leaves a giant void in our lives, but his legacy of love, laughter, and relentless pursuit of knowledge and adventure will remain with us always.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Bruce Nelson and Eva Virginia Peeples, and his brother, Ron Recourt.

He is survived by his sisters, Sherrill Chapman, Christine (Steven) Reed, Jana (Vince) Cunningham, 

His children, Adam (Jen) Peeples, Sarah Peeples (Bryan) Dawson, Aaron Peeples, and their mother Patti Hartley. 

His grandchildren: Annalaya, Addison, Jazzlyn, Indi, McKaylee, Jackson, Sia, Oliver, and Henry.

And many nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be planned for the spring.