Artie G. Pierce

Artie G. Pierce II, 88, of La Grande, died May 10 at his home. A service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of the Nazarene in La Grande.

Artie was born Aug. 9, 1921, to Artie Pierce and Laura (Bachelor) Pierce in Central, Ark. He moved to California as a youth then joined the U.S. Navy Aug. 11, 1942, until Nov. 27, 1945. He started farming in Fresno, Calif., and then met and married Pearl Irene Raymond July 28, 1949.

The couple moved to Oregon in 1955 and came to La Grande after a short time in Central Oregon. He worked at Mount Emily Lumber Mill, was a mechanic for Bailey Farm Equipment and worked at the Boise Cascade Elgin plywood plant until he retired.

After retirement, Artie was able to pursue fishing from Alaska to Mexico. He also enjoyed hunting deer, elk and birds. He started traveling as a true snowbird with his companion, his beloved wife, Pearl Irene.

He is survived by his sister, Zella Gibson; sons and their wives, Raymond and Marilyn Morrison, Artie and Lala Pierce III and Lindsey and Carolyn Pierce;daughter and her husband, Roberta and Dale Witherspoon; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Irene; parents, Artie and Laura Pierce; brothers, Gene Pierce, Robert Pierce and Sunny Pierce; and sister, Joan McBride.

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