LARRY DEAN PIERCE
April 2, 1935 -- May 19, 2011
Larry D. Pierce, age 76, of Montrose, Colo. passed away Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Montrose Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy illness. Larry was born April 2, 1935 to Benjamin R. and Kitty C. Pierce in Montrose, Colorado.
Larry graduated from Montrose High School with the class of 1953. He attended CU for a time, then decided to "join the Navy and see the world"! He served his country honorably and proudly as a Navy pilot. No matter where Larry's travels took him, he always missed Colorado and Montrose; especially the mountains and the change of seasons. In 1983, Larry came home to Montrose to stay.
Larry met his wife, the former Dixie B. Blunt of Center, Colorado when she was working for Attorney Herb Strang in Montrose. The couple married on December 21, 1958 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Survivors include his wife Dixie of the family home; son Bill Pierce and wife Stephanie of Shasta Lake, California; son Jeff Pierce and granddaughter Ayla Pierce of Montrose; twin sister Jean Pierce of Montrose; and sister Betty Jo Davis of Colorado Springs, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; an older sister and brother; an infant son, and a grandson who died in Iraq.
When Larry was still in good health, he enjoyed being outdoors, and in his younger days he enjoyed fishing, hiking, tennis, golf and woodworking. He also enjoyed playing bridge, cribbage, chess, and acey deucy.
After retiring from the Navy, Larry held various jobs and considered each of them a challenging and interesting experience. Perhaps the most interesting and challenging job was that of Montrose County Assessor. Larry resigned as County Assessor in the middle of his third term, due to ill health.
Larry was a quiet, unassuming man who didn't boast of his own accomplishments. He was highly intelligent with a thirst for knowledge, and was constantly reading, researching and compiling data on almost any subject. He was willing to share his ideas and findings with anyone who expressed interest. On occasion the data he had gathered was "borrowed" by others who proudly took the credit. When this happened, Larry just grinned and shrugged his shoulders. His wife was not quite so forgiving!
For a number of years Larry volunteered as a tutor with the Adult Literacy Program in Montrose, as well as teaching computer classes for seniors at the Montrose Senior Center. He was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and was instrumental in forming (and naming) the Montrose Chapter; better known as the "MOD Squad" (Montrose - Olathe - Delta).
Cremation has taken place, and there will be no public service at Larry's request. A private family service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions in memory of LCDR Larry Pierce may be sent to: The Military Officers Association, Chapter CO-07, (checks payable to: MOAA CO-07 Scholarships), P. O. Box 1391, Grand Junction, CO 81502. *This fund is split jointly between college scholarships and the Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.
