Ken Peay was born Dec 16, 1948 in Payson, Utah. He was raised in Benjamin where he attended Spanish Fork High school, and went on to receive a Certificate of Technology from SUSC, a Bachelor’s Degree from USU, and a Master’s from BYU. While attending SUSC, Ken was blessed with two beautiful daughters.

Somewhere in between Ken served an LDS mission in Toronto, Canada and later went on to enlist in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst assigned to the US Military Liaison Mission, Commander in Chief, Soviet Forces, Germany.

Following his military service Ken joined the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, and later, the Utah Highway Patrol. He dedicated his entire life to serving his country, his community. In the UHP Ken held many positions. He worked as a patrolman and as a bodyguard for Governor Scott Matheson. Following this assignment, Ken worked as a Department Armorer, during which he oversaw and trained UHP personnel in their transition from the revolver to the semiautomatic pistol. He was then transferred to Governor Norm Bangerter’s office as Commander of Executive Protection. While working for Governor Bangerter, Ken married Cecile Marie Peay, and in doing so, gained a son. After fulfilling his duties there, he worked Narcotics and Liquor Enforcement and eventually became Patrol Commander in Salt Lake, Juab, and Utah counties. He then took command of the UHP Mounted Police during the 2002 Olympic Games. Finally after 31 years of selfless service, Ken retired as the Commander of Juab, Millard, and Iron counties.

After retirement Ken returned to his hometown of Benjamin and bought part of the old family farm in 1994. In his spare time, he worked as a Department Chair of the Criminal Justice Program at Provo College and taught Criminal Justice for seven years. In 1995 Ken joined the Diamond Fork Riding club and was inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with his brother Dave, in 2025.

Kenneth Brent Peay belonged to the old kind of men. The kind who seldom speak about honor because they carry it with them. The people of Utah knew him as a Highway Patrolman, but those who truly knew him understood that the badge was only a small part of who he was. He was a cowboy in the truest sense. Not because of the hat or the horse, but because he lived by a code older than either: do your job, protect the weak, love your family, and leave things better than you found them.

Kenneth passed away at home on May 10, 2026 after bravely and relentlessly fighting cancer for two years. Kenneth is survived by his wife Cecile; his daughters, Kandiss and Misty; his son, Barry; his sister, Sharlene; his brothers, Dave and Dan; his grandchildren, Boston (Madison), Maddison, Jaxson and Talon; and his great-grandchildren, Easton and Lane. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Elaine Peay.

His graveside service will be held at the Benjamin Cemetery on May 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A celebration of life will be held in the High Chaparral at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds on June 6, 2026 at 6 PM.