Services for Mike "Pawpaw" Pierce, 72, of Marshall, Texas will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall with Father John Himes and Father Kevin Whitmeyer officiating. Interment will follow at Algoma North Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Downs Funeral Home.

Mike was born on April 17, 1951, in Marshall, Texas to Homa J. Pierce Jr. and Peggy Ruth Russell Pierce and passed away on February 23, 2024, in Marshall, Texas.

He married Judy Ann Nixon Pierce on February 20, 1970, in Marshall, Texas. When his father passed in 1968, Mike, at the age of 17, stepped up and helped his mother work the farm. He worked the same farm from the age of 9 through the rest of his life. He also loved to help work cows on his PaPa's place, with his grandfather, Mr. D.T. Russell. He proudly took care of his mother during her illness from 2000 until 2006. He carried on the tradition of making banana nut bread from his mother and made it all the time. He always waited at the bus stop for his granddaughters. He loved fishing for bass in the pond on the back of the property. He loved gardening with his wife and providing for the family. He loved sitting on the porch in his rocking chair watching the deer. He loved to get in the pool with his granddaughters and family. He enjoyed watching old western movies on rainy days as well as Law & Order, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond and King of Queens and could quote every word. He was a very private man and was well respected by all who knew him. He loved his wife of 54 years and they had just recently celebrated their anniversary with all of the family. His kids and grandkids were the apple of his eye. He knew how to keep everyone in line with the look of the eye. You never saw him without his cap. He had just found out on February 21st that he will be having a great grandson, Bryson Scott Verhalen, on the way, which generated the most beautiful and biggest smile on his face.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homa Jr. and Peggy Pierce; brothers-in-law, Jimmy Nixon, Johnny Nixon and Jerry Nixon and sister-in-law, Linda Davis.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy Pierce; children, Lori Hightower and Tony Pierce; brother, Kenneth Pierce and wife, Virginia; granddaughters, Maigin Hightower and fiancé, Alexander and Meredith Hightower; soon to be great grandson, Bryson Scott Verhalen; brothers-in-law, Robert Thompson and wife, DeLois and Michael Thompson and wife, Laurie and sisters-in-law, Valeria Stephens and husband, Michael and Jeannie Oney and husband, Glenwood along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Thank you to the following doctors and facilities for seven wonderful years of specialty care; Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Orr with Baylor Medical in Dallas, Texas; Dr. Carl Earnest with Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center; Dr. Neeraj Sharma with Texas Oncology; Belinda and Rosie with PalliCare and Amanda, Larry, Leslie and Toby with HeartsWay Hospice.