Ray Edwin Pearce was born October 19, 1936, to Eddy Pearce and Effie Holder Pearce on the family homestead in Competition, Missouri. He passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in his home in Dixon, Missouri. He was eighty-seven years, three months and eighteen days old at the time of his passing.
He was born and raised on the family farm and at the age of eighteen, he joined the United States Air Force. He faithfully served his country for twenty years during the Vietnam War. Following his time in the Air Force, he joined the Civil Air Service and retired in the early 2000’s.
On Valentine’s Day in 1955, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Moore. Together they raised their three children and stood by each other through the ups and downs of life for over sixty-eight years.
Ray is survived by his wife, Shirley Pearce of the home; his daughters, Sherry Reynolds and her husband Kenny of Mt. Ida, Arkansas and Colleen Caudle of Lebanon; his son, Terry Pearce and his wife Iris of Greensborough, North Carolina; eight grandchildren, Lily Pearce, Halie Pearce, Bethany Pearce, Kenneth Dustin Reynolds, Alyssa Reynolds Legg and her husband Rusty, Laura Wright, Carrie Grissom and Casey Grissom; sixteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Nola Parker, Bonnie Williams, Gene Pearce, Dean Pearce and Kenneth Pearce.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Conner Lloyd Pearce.
Ray grew up a preacher’s kid and had a very strong belief in the Lord. His family has the assurance that he is now in Heaven praising God.
Ray was a very smart man and was well respected in his community as well as professionally. He was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children. He was also a Mason, taught Driver’s Education and was a pilot.
In his spare time, he enjoyed reading westerns and biographies, doing puzzles and puzzle games. Ray also enjoyed woodworking and going to flea markets. He liked listening to Blue Grass and Christian music and spending time with his family. He loved his family deeply and enjoyed being with them as often as he possibly could.
The stories he shared and the memories he made with his family and friends will be treasured for years to come.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
A memorial has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
