David LeRoy Pierce
August 6, 1930 - October 24, 2023
LeRoy Pierce, a cowboy, entertainer, jokester, and leather craftsman, passed away in the comfort of his home on October 24, 2023, at the age of 93.
LeRoy was born August 6, 1930, to Orville Aaron Pierce and Tabea (Eichman) Pierce in Trego Center, KS. He moved throughout his childhood years until the family settled in Hill City, KS.
At the age of 10, LeRoy suffered a bone infection in his hip which impacted the rest of his life. He graduated from WaKeeney High School with the class of 1949.
On June 6, 1952, LeRoy married Luella Hughes in WaKeeney, KS. Together they raised four children.
In 1962, the family moved to Winona, KS where LeRoy worked throughout his years. He worked many jobs due to the ups and downs of his hip, including the Farmer’s Co-op, Oakley Motors, and a custom baling for farmers and ranchers. He raised registered Texas Longhorn cattle and Quarter horses. In 1989, LeRoy bought a shoe repair shop and started repairing boots, shoes, and saddles for the community.
In the 1990s, LeRoy picked up a passion from his childhood and started playing his accordion he had put in the closet for 50 years. Luella played the piano her entire life and was able to bring LeRoy’s talents out. They entertained the WaKeeney community plus many more, that are impossible to mention. LeRoy and Luella loved entertaining during their retirement.
LeRoy will be greatly missed by his loved ones and is survived by his wife Luella Faye (Hughes) Pierce; children Billy (Betty) Pierce, Dana (Gayla) Pierce, Rita (Russ) Decker, Orville Pierce, and daughter-in-law Mavaneen Pierce; grandchildren Matthew (Amy) Pierce, Justin (Kristi) Pierce, Levi (Molly) Pierce, Amber Pierce, Rusti (Louie) Lichtenberg, Kelli (Nicholas) Rubio, Jason (Kindra) Pierce, Tathaya Pierce, Ryan Pierce, and Hunter Pierce; and sisters Lillian Large, Lucille (Charles) Rief, and Myra (Jack Minton) Kraft. He had 16 great-grandchildren and four great- great-grandchildren.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Tabea Pierce, infant brothers Lloyde and Abraham Pierce, sisters Pauline (Clayton) Mong, and Shirley (Gene) Glider.
Visitation is October 29, at 5-7 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS and services are scheduled for Monday, October 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS. Meal to follow at the VFW.
Memorial donations can be made to the Trego County VFW, 400 North Railroad Avenue, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
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