Robert Donald Pierce

Robert Donald Pierce Passed from this life on Monday, June 23, 2014, slipping away peacefully with his wife holding his hand. The cause of death was staph/renal failure. He was born in Gorman, Texas in March 1937 to parents Alma and Ramsey Pierce. Wartime work brought the family to Calif. where they settled in Wilmington, Calif. Life in the 50s was a gentler time, filled with school, friends, and fun. In high school, it was cars, cars, cars and BFF's to find, fix-up and share with. Graduating from Long Beach Poly High in 1952, Ronald began adult life. He married his high school sweetheart, Vivian Hulshizer, got a job with Los Angeles County Water Department while going to Long Beach City College at night with the intent of being an Architect. After two years, and an AA degree, he realized the job he had with the County fitting pipe, "fitted" him. Leaving L.A. County, he joined the Steamfitter's Union, Local 250 in Gardena, Calif., remaining a member for 43 years. Chasing work put a strain on his marriage, and eventually he went through a separation and divorce, another marriage, another divorce, more traveling, and then landed a job in 1982, which brought him to Diablo Canyon Power Plant to work on Slick '6'. Robert rented an apt over the gift shop where I worked, eventually, after waving and nodding for some time, came in......."Hi, my name is Don Pierce and I live upstairs. "Hi, I replied, my name is Jo Dorsey." He told me later that he told the guys he lived with that, "she's just right for me!" When the store sold, I went to work for Cal Poly, Don still went out of town for work, but San Luis was home. Between jobs, he used his skills to remodel our house; coming home from work one day I found the kitchen walls were no more, and in time a new kitchen was created. It was just life, full of love, laughs and living. Robert retired as did I in 1997, and out came the boat and the fishing rods as we lazed the days away on the water with so many memories. I was blessed with laughter, kindness, and so much love for 30 years, Health issues came along and curtailed some of these activities; however, life was still full. He drove his red truck to New Mexico to visit with his beloved Uncle Chuck, and also returned to Long Beach to enjoy the lifelong school pals, JK, Ty, Jim, Bill, Dick and Ruthann, meeting at JOE JOST'S for the lunch 'special', a sausage sandwich, an egg and a beer! 2010 and a long recovery from esophageal cancer gave Robert time to renew his love of firearms. His mobility was somewhat compromised. Giving him time to build his own loading outfit, he went to the range once a week, becoming very proud of his proficiency with both rifles and handguns. This was a life well lived, happy and content. "Neck" as he was known in the trade, has drug up for the last time! He is survived by wife, Jo; daughter Melynda (David) Gionnette; grandson Jacob (Carla) Poe; great grandchildren Angela and Jarret (Buddy ) Poe; and former wife and my friend Vivian Pierce. He was a most beloved stepfather to Elizabeth (Chris) Snow and Victoria Weiss; and step-grand daughter Madison Dorsey. He was "Granpa Don" to our extended family Maria, Joe, Victoria, and Aaron of Morro Bay. He also leaves behind his loving friends, John, Katie and David Reeves and last but not least, his cat "Bailey". There was no service per Robert's request. Cremation was at Reis's Mortuary and his ashes were scattered at sea in Morro Bay. A poem given through spirit by Chuck Martin: Life was hard, at times demeaning, as sickness took it's toll, But Don was strong and he carried on and in the end God saved his soul. We remember the shattered body that was filled with aches and pain. But now at last, that's all in the past and he'll never again need a cane. For the Lord promised a body that's perfect in every way. Now we know....his eyes are aglow with his heavenly body on display. And though his parting grieves us, we celebrate his new found home. A mansion built just for him, not far from the Masters throne. So to Don, from all who love you, we know that all is well. And one day soon we'll see you in paradise where you dwell. We can now give thanks to God most high, for spirit that dwells within. And for the promise of eternal life where we'll all be together again. Always in My heart UNK Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries