Merle Pearce Obituary

Longtime La Plata County resident Merle D. "Curley" Pearce, died Friday, April 18, 2014, in Durango. He was 74.

Mr. Pearce was born to Leo Berton and Grace Irene (Williams) Pearce on Jan. 3, 1940, in Lakeside, Ariz.

In 1945, the Pearce family moved to Bloomfield, N.M. One of six children, Mr. Pearce grew up on his parents' farm and attended school in Bloomfield.

In about 1960, he married Sarah Victoria Hackett in Aztec. The couple was married for 25 years and had two sons together before the marriage ended in divorce.

Mr. Pearce spent his entire career with BHP Minerals. He began as a bulldozer operator and retired as a supervisor in production.

After his retirement, he moved to Redmesa in 1999, where he ranched for several years.

"Merle's most enjoyable things in life were his two sons and all of his grandchildren," according to his family. "He liked fishing, hunting, ranching, good Western movies, classic country-western music and drives in the mountains. He loved telling and hearing a good joke. Merle was a strong man with a big heart. He loved and was loved by many people."

Mr. Pearce is survived by his sons Merle V. Pearce and Steven Dale Pearce, both of Durant, Okla.; sisters, Irene Zufelt of Bloomfield and Louise LaRue of Capitan, N.M.; twin brother Verle C. Pearce of Odessa, Texas; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members.

Per his wishes, no services will be held.

"Merle's wishes were for everyone to remember him for who he was and celebrate his life," according to his family.

Visit www.memorialwebsites.legacy.com/MerleDPearce or www.hoodmortuary.com to send online condolences.