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Dr. David Pierce, Sr. died quietly and peacefully on the afternoon of May, 21, 2022 at Salem Terrace Harrogate in Salem, Virginia. He was born July 30, 1932, in Quaker City, Ohio to the late Allan Pierce and Rosene Opel (Josiah). He was raised by his Grandparents Fred and Emma Cline during most of his young life. He lost his younger son, Fred Cline Pierce, many years later. He was formerly married to Shirley Thornton Williams of Reidsville, North Carolina.

After graduating as Valedictorian from Quaker City High School he went into the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea during that conflict. He later attended N.C. State College (now NCSU) where he earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Omega Tau Honorary Engineering Fraternity and President of the Engineer’s Council, graduating at the top of his class. He then earned his M.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Years later he went on to receive a Ph.D degree in Higher Education from Florida State University. His varied career included engineering, mission work in Cali, Colombia, college administration, and later consulting work. He seemingly worked harder as a retiree, volunteering tirelessly for The Peace Corps partnership program, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and other charities. He was not only financially generous but generous with his time and energy, frequently travelling to locations around the world that might have simply needed someone to help carry concrete blocks.

His passion for running began as a member of the N.C.State cross-country team and didn’t end until he was well into his early eighties. He loved competing in 10k races and completed at least one marathon. He was practically addicted to baseball and hockey and would travel great distances to see teams he’d never seen play. He was a meticulous score keeper and would often miss seconds of a game because he was writing instead of watching. Over the course of his life, some of those missed seconds would result in getting hit by a stray puck or a foul ball, often leaving him with a knot or bruise. He would later comment that the free slice of pizza he’d usually be given made his very minor injury worthwhile. He was a loyal and devoted Bobby Bowden fan and loved his Florida State Seminoles.

David Sr. is survived by relatives and friends in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, North Carolina, and Florida, as well as by his older son, David Jr..

Regarding his memory, he would simply ask that we all be as generous with our resources, time, and energy as we can , as often as we can.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:00am on July 30, 2022 at the Quaker City Greenlawn Cemetery.

Arrangements provided by Tharp Funeral Home, Roanoke.