Piers Chance

1939 - 2013

Piers Lawrence Depeyster Chance, 73, died Tuesday, June 4, 2013, in Dallas. Evening Prayer and visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at St. Vincent's Episcopal Cathedral, Bedford. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Monday, June 10, at St. Vincent's Episcopal Cathedral, Bedford. Reception to follow in Parish Hall. Memorials: Because of his love of pets and all animals, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 East Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76103, 817-332-4768; or the charity of your choice. Piers was born Aug. 26, 1939, in Epsom, England. He and his mother, Marjorie Alexander, were among those evacuated during World War II. They resided in Connecticut before moving to Asheville, N.C., where he grew up. He graduated from Lee H. Edwards High School with the Class of '57, attended UNC Asheville and joined the United States Marine Corps. In January 1965, Piers and Carolyn Ann Young were married and began their new life in the Lone Star State. In 1974, they welcomed Chelsea Starr into this world as part of a beautiful family. Piers enjoyed a successful career in commercial real estate management. During these years, he obtained his certificate in real estate from SMU, his Texas Real Estate Broker License, and certified property manager designation. His resume encompassed a number of well-known companies and high-profile projects, including: Carr P. Collins; Equitable Life Assurance, One Main Place; Hall Financial; Sealy/HBM&M; Bass Brothers Enterprises, City Center and Sundance Square; Bright Realty; Trammell Crow Company; Cushman & Wakefield; Lincoln Property Company, Bank of America Corporate Center, Charlotte, Special Project Management in Eastern Europe; Carmel/CB Richard Ellis; Charter Asset Management; Koll; and Grubb & Ellis among others. His involvement with these brought him great joy, just as he brought tremendous joy to those with whom he worked. Through his participation in civic and professional organizations, Piers gave back to his community and industry. His varied contributions include election to the Colleyville City Council, with a term as mayor pro-tem, the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD School Board, appointment to the City of Colleyville Zoning and Planning Board, membership in the Lions Club, IREM, and serving as president of BOMA in both Fort Worth and Dallas. An important part of Piers' life was his involvement in St. Vincent's Episcopal Cathedral as vestry member, lay reader, and school board member. His dedication in this regard, revealed his love of the fellowship and duty of his spiritual life. Mere words are inadequate to express the enthusiasm, the happiness, and the love of life that were his very presence. His pleasure in a good book, a dry martini, a top-down cruise in that unmistakable yellow Corvette, watching a 007 movie or the Dallas Cowboys, was only eclipsed by his desire to bring a smile to the face of a friend or a stranger. Piers' smile is forever etched into the hearts of his family and friends. May the memory of the ever-present sparkle in his eye bring light to the darkness of our grief. Survivors: Wife, Carolyn Young Chance; daughter, Chelsea Starr Chance; son-in-law, Lloyd Wayne Vardell; grandchildren, Joel Mclean, Ashley Vardell, Austin Vardell; sisters, Sandy Smalling of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Carol Pendleton of Fort Pierce, Fla.