Walter D. "Duke" Pierce

Walter Pierce Obituary

Walter D. "Duke" Pierce, 90, was born in Gilroy, Calif., in May of 1919 and died Tuesday Oct. 13, 2009, surrounded with love and support by his family. He was an entrepreneur and multitasking individual. During the time of World War II he harvested seaweed to supplement agar supplies for plasma for the United States Navy. Walter was also a fisherman and abalone diver. He held the record for the most abalone harvested in a day. He dove for Bank Line Oil Co, and was a chrome and quick silver miner. He owned and operated Pierce Construction in Morro Bay, Sierra Nevada, and the Central Valley from 1958 to 2000. Walter was a devoted husband and father, a rock to the entire family. Memories of the special times will be cherished by family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Walter is survived by his wife Glenna (Marian); daughters, Trudy Sylvester, Vickie Pierce; sons, Donald W. Pierce, and Kenneth J. Pierce; 12 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Private Services will be held.

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Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Oct. 16, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Pierce

14 Entries

Jessica Conklin

November 23, 2009

well i had the most wonderful great grandpapi for eighteen years of my life. that is quite some time and im so very thankful for every moment that i had with grandpapi. i will always remember the last day i saw and talked to grandpapi. i stopped by grandmi's and grandpi's and i walked in and there was grandpapi watching his old john wayne cowboy movie and i gave grandpapi a great big hug and kiss on the cheek and said i love you grandpapi, he smiled his great big loving smile and shook his head and said yeah and kinda laughed.

how about the back scratches, man if you got started on those it was hard to stop, but that was always the bestt....grandpapi would just reach over and start scratching your back and you always in return scratched his.

or the stories grandpapi told, he loved telling them all the way to the end. i heard so many stories but you always would hear them over all the time, but he was so good at telling them that no matter how many times you heard it, it was like hearing a new story everytime.

the one thing i cherish the most is what people have to say about grandpapi, its always about what a great man he was or something amazing that he did. Grandpapi duke was loved by so many and will always be loved by many...stories will be told of grandpapi duke for as long as the pierce family goes. i know i will always be telling stories of my great grandpapi Walter D, Pierce "Duke".

i love you with all my heart and more

Melanie Pierce

November 10, 2009

Grandpa was and is the ROCK, the King of our family. I learned a lot from Grandpa and Grandma. He always treated Grandma with the utmost respect. I will always admire him for that. He always treated each grandchild like they were special in their own little way. Like, we all were jewels and golden nuggets! I remember spending many summers and all the wonderful journeys that we took with them. I remember Grandma telling me when I was little, and when I would come to visit them every night when it was time for bed. She said that I would get up on the bed and prop up the pillow between them making it just right. Then I would lay back on it and within seconds I would be fast asleep. I also remember when I was about the same age (when they lived out in the desert) sitting on a cactus. Yep that’s right Grandpa came to the rescue. I remember grandpa putting me face down on the table and he plucked all the little cactus needles out of my little bottom. He was always the family doctor!

I remember the journey that Grandpa and Grandma took to Grass Valley. Mom, Dad, Kenny and I had the chance to live with Grandpa and Grandpa when they lived there. That was a wonderful experience, we lived at the top of the mountain with a generator for power and about 4ft of snow in the winter. I remember watching Grandpa and my Dad process gold in the little room in the giant building Grandpa had for all his mining equipment. And Grandpa had his huge garden with all the yummy vegi’s and of course we can’t forget the watermelons!! And while we lived there we took many, many road trips to Reno and Tahoe.. We only live about an hour away.

I remember a very special time that I spent with Grandpa and Grandma. It was when I was pregnant with Jessica, I had the chance to stay with them for 2 weeks right before I had her. It was when they lived out on the river. I couldn’t have picked a better place to be, I knew that I would be safe and well taken care of. They always made sure that I was comfortable. Even while I was pregnant, Grandpa would still steal food from my plate or wipe butter on my hand when I wasn’t looking. No one was safe from him stealing from your plate.. LOL!! I even had the opportunity to work with Grandpa and Dad when they did the job up in Oakhurst behind the Mountain House Restaurant. I remember Grandpa up on the backhoe watching me carry two 4 inch pipes one on each shoulder. He got upset that I did that and wouldn’t let me carry anymore. We had great lunches that Grandma made. I had so much fun working them.

Now comes to the best time I think I have ever spent with grandpa. I had the opportunity to spend time with him on a daily basis over this past year. Although he couldn’t remember my name I knew deep down he knew who I really was. Every morning after I got ready for work I would come out to the living room and there he was with a big smile on his face. He would say, “There you are, where are you going”. I would tell him good morning and that I was going to work then gave him a kiss on the cheek. When I would come home from work, Dinner was usually done and getting ready to be put on the table. I would sometimes help get Grandpa in his chair and roll him to the table and I would always sit to the left of Grandpa and when Destiny wasn’t at the table he would always ask where the girl was with the long hair, he would get so worried about her.
I remember playing dice and watching him play his computer casino game. Grandpa always liked his slots!! Grandpa always wanted to hit the BIG jackpot… Well, he did it in his family.. Grandpa was, is and always will be rich. It was in everything he did and everything he touched, the stories he told and most of all the love that he had for his Wife, our Mom, our Grandma, our Great Grandma, his Children, Grandchildren and his Great Grandchildren. Grandpa’s riches will be past down for many, many generations to come.

I want to thank Dad and Mom for having my Grandpa and Grandma live with them. My Dad devoted every minute of each and every day to make sure my Grandpa was well taken care of. Dad, thank you for watching over our Grandpa you are truly amazing… Thank you, I love you!

Grandpa in everything you said or did, there was a meaning and a lesson. I remember you saying, “ If you barrow something make sure you take it back in the same or better condition than when you barrowed it”. That has always stuck with me. Just like when you would say, “don’t take any wooden nickels”. Grandpa you were always there when anyone needed anything and would fix whatever needed fix’n. We could always count on you and you would never fail us. He was a true HERO! I will never forget all the wonderful stories and every one will be past down for new little ears to listen to. I miss you deeply, I will cherish each and every memory, I will never forget you….I love you!!

Ken Pierce

November 10, 2009

A Tribute to our Dad

Well your favorite song was red river valley,
And the world was in your sight for that pot of gold.
But there was more to your life,
with some tractors and some strife,
More than ever could be told.
Well we have our childhood memories,
Of all the things you’ve done,
We never regretted any, not even one.
When we sat around the table, And you told us a tale or two,
They were the best ol’ stories ever told.
When we saw you about and tinkering, We knew you were alright,
You didn’t take those dreams and visions out of your sight.
There’s a gift ya’ gave us ------ Dad,
You may not even know,
An example to live our lives, where we can’t go wrong.
Well, thank you Dad for loving our Mom
And thank you Dad for loving us so.

October 31, 2009

Hi Cousins, I am so glad you were able to keep Uncle Duke home in a family setting until he was ready to go. One thing that was very important to him and my Mom was their privacy and pride. They weren't ones to complain and didn't really want the world to know if they were in pain or not their usual selfs. They were head strong and wanted certain things a certain way. The best thing is our memory of them the way they were at their best, and we have lots of those. Uncle Duke past on a zest for life and an independence in all of his kids and it showed up in the grandkids as well. He did a fine job while he was on this earth, lets all try to keep up the high jinx and life loving way of living that they have left us. Love all you guys, I hope you are all doing OK.
Colleen

Sharon Thomas

October 23, 2009

If we could only capture the spirit of our heros in the pierce family of Uncle Dukes generation. I guess we would have had to grown up with them.My mom talked so much about Uncle Duke and how he was always putting her up to challenges when they were young. Like telling her to jump on a cow and ride it and she did it.She would never back down.Because of those competitive challenges I remember her competing and challenging my brothers as we grew up. One time Uncle Duke had a tumor on his arm and he cut it off himself and put it in a jar for us to see!!Aunt Marion you are a shining example of the most devoted wife and apparently have passed it to your children.Kenny, your devotion to your dad is to be so respected..Sorry to the family for your great Loss...Sharon

Yvonne Davis

October 22, 2009

To my cousins and family, we are so sorry for your (and our) loss of Uncle Duke. Reading these memories sure sounds like the ones written for his sister, my Grandma Girlie. She called us "little chicken" and "someone" stealing the heart out of the watermelon was always a hot topic. The world has lost another great character, member of the Pierce family. That group of siblings were the salt of the earth with the biggest hearts, best sense of humor, and huge hearts for their grandchildren. We can only hope and strive to be as great as them. True legends. Uncle Duke will live on in the wonderful family he created (with Aunt Marion of course, another gem!). hugs & kisses cuz's.
Love Yvonne

Rebecca Ellis

October 22, 2009

Grandpa, I was one of the lucky great grand kids who really got the chance to know you. I will never forget the walks in the early morning you would take me on and at the end how you always said you would let me hit the punching bag when I was taller.... I never grew.... Spending that week at your house was amazing and I feel blessed to have gotten to do it. The times we would sit and watch Bob Barker and you would tell me when I said I was bored that "the price is right" was a learning experience, how we would sneak Klondike bars out of the freezer even though grandma said we could only have 1. You always gave us the best juice and i miss having that even today (WE NEVER HAVE ANY). I'll never forget the time I got poison oak and while everyone else was freaking out you were calm and simply said "well your not going to touch that plant again are you?" we were the only ticker treaters you ever got, and your house always had the best stuff. I love that when we drove to the river and you never made me ride in the truck cab but always told me if I fell out of the truck bed it was my fault. Picking berry's for hours and eating half on the way home, you gave me my love of veggies and to this day green bell peppers are still "THE BEST". you saved me from the bus stop when mom couldn't come, and you taught me things I will never learn again, your an AMAZING man and I cant wait to see you again, I miss you more then there are adjectives to describe. I LOVE YOU!

Tammy (Sylvester) Ellis

October 21, 2009

Grandpa, I remember the flashlights in every room at least one or two or five.I remember mud fights,portuge highballs,always the sly theft of the watermelon heart,the blackberry picking down by the river,all the squash you could eat,and cutting apples.The firewood collecting 2 years ago was just as fun as it was 30 years ago.You were always kind and gentle.Thank you for the joy you taught us as children and how to be good parents to our children,how never to give up,and not to sweat the small stuff.You blessed us everyday with your presents.I will see you again! I love you always.

Tim Hayes

October 21, 2009

Gramps..Wow,where do I start..I have some great memories of this man! From patching holes in the water tank at the mine to going on some awesome tractor rides(just watching him start that bulldozer was truely amazing!) to spending time in Grass valley for the summer to make extra money on the Drill Rig and listening to you talk in chinese to the chinese generator while you were starting it(very funny)it was truely an experience.Going to swap meets,boxing with you in the barn,spending time in the Hot Springs(and getting ice cream on the way home)in Lone Pine,going frogging with you and Uncle Don was down right hillarious! God that was funny! Swimming in the river,eating lots of watermelons and having some great BBQ's..(Even BBQ's from inside the house in the fire place! The King of BBQing)Thanks for helping me fix my Corvett Gramps! The more I sit here and think, the more memories I come up with..Man he could fix anything... Gramps,it's time for me to say good bye now,you were a man I always looked up to and admired,you were truley a leader and tough as nails! You will be missed dearly,but will never be forgotten..ps,I will never take any wooden nickles!..Love ya Gramps, Tim

Glenna

October 18, 2009

Grandpa...I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with Gramps and Grams over the years. For years we had sunday morning breakfasts together and talked and laughed together. With his breakfast he loved purple onions, rootbeer and ketchup on the side. There still seemed to always be something missing off my plate when he side-tracked me. Ha Ha.. Afterwards, Gramps loved to tell a tale or two. Grandma always fixed calamari steaks and clam eggs...Grampa's favorite. Gramps and I on several occasions would banter about which food is better for you..vinegar or garlic? I was always in awe of Gramps and how he took special pains in his own health. He always ate well, drank very little alcohol, and still jogged to the river and back even into his eighties. He was quite an example of health. He was also a very hard worker that was never at a loss for ideas...We had a lot of great conversations just about life and I learned a lot about unconditional love for your family through Grandpa and Grandma. There were countless times that they would come and save me over those years. He was my plumber, my auto mechanic, and my lumberjack. They brought a raincoat when I got caught in a storm at work, as well as, brought me lunch and countless bottles of water when I ran out in the sweltering heat. When I got dog attacked they waited with me for 8 hours in the doctors office and made sure I had a safe ride home. They then drove me around town for two months until my hand was healed...Gramps always said to me, "If you ever need me call me and I will be there. I will save you little chicken.", and he was always there. Both Grandpa and Grandma never let me down. Every year I would take them for their anniversary to Red Lobster and I would always order the giant shrimp Louie and the king crab legs. Gramps was in heaven.. He loved his seafood! We also went crawdad hunting together...I will cherish every last moment that we shared, every wooden nickel swap on our birthdays, and every hug with a back scratch afterwards... He had many wonderful qualities. He would do anything for his family. He had a heart of pure gold. He was never afraid of anything. He was a fearless warrior with a lion's heart.. He will be missed.

October 18, 2009

Talking about a sacrifice,
I have one other thing that I feel that I need to mention. My dad had Alzheimer's disease. It is a terrible disease that slowly takes away parts of the memory until you don't know how to do the simply tasks. Dad was frustrated a lot of the time and angry sometimes too. He woke up all hours of the night. It takes a very special person to take care of an Alzheimer's patient. Usually, it takes an Alzheimer's care facility to manage it. I am proud to say that my brother Ken took this task upon himself selflessly. He sacrificed his sleep and time when none of the rest of us kids could. He wouldn't let out dad go into a home and simply had the backbone to step up to the plate. Ken has more than once proven himself to be a good person and I know that he is not asking for any pats on the back for what he has done. I want to tell him that we appreciate him and all of his sacrifices. His service to our dad and our family has not gone unnoticed. Thank God Ken was so strong. Thank You God for helping Ken along the way. Dad would have been proud! Thank You brother...
Daughter Viki

October 17, 2009

I will forever miss my dad, remembering all the wonderful things he taught us and all the times we spent working together. He stands on the highest and proud of what he has achieved. Dad will go with me in every garden I plant and every trip I make, guarding the way for my success. I always knew that where ever there is a will there is a way. And taking the time to think and smell the roses, was a very important feature in my dads life. My dad lives on now in all of us kids, and I will never forget who he was and what I learned from him. Upon his calling, He surely will be missed, more than words can say. He was my rock,my hero, I captured his last wink,and a piece of my heart is with him. With my brothers and sister and our dear mother, we join together to send dad on his way in style, like he would like it.I am sure he will keep the candles burning for each and everyone of us who will someday join him. It's like he is clearing his path for his family, making sure things are safe for us all.
Among other things,
I am going to miss the loader races with my dad, and just so i have the last word, dammit!, I won! I seen that chuckle he had. Like he knew I would. ( or he let me hmmm) So I had to buy the rootbeer floats,because I got there first.. so what! I wonder if he had that planned?? everyone that knew my dad, would know he had something in mind. My dad, he was the most important person in my life. I count my blessings that I had him for 90 wonderful years. And I feel very fortunate that we still have our wonderful mom with strength so unbelievable. and we love her.
Viki Pierce

Terry (Sylvester) White

October 17, 2009

I have so many wonderful memories of my grampa, fishing in the rain, driving the water truck(Deke drove it up the bank, not me), breaking his walking stick, him spraying all of us with water, watermelon, the garden, and I will never take any wooden nickles...there's so many great times and wonderful memories that so many of us share, I will miss him dearly!

Deke Hayes

October 17, 2009

Gramps, we are all going to miss you more than words can express. I will always remember the summers we worked together,,,you taught me so much. I could go on and on but I won't. I'll just finish by saying sorry about your squirt gun!! Love you!

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