Stanely Pearce

Stanley Pearce died Thursday, April 16, 2015, peacefully in his home. This happened one day before his 90th birthday.

He was born April 17, 1925, in Birmingham, England. He was the youngest of three children, joining his brother Vick and his sister Floss. He was raised very tough in wartime England. He joined the Royal Marines at the tender age of 17 and served honorably in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

After returning from the war, Stan discovered a lifelong passion for ballroom dancing. After meeting the love of his life on the dance floor, he married Mavis Eileen Whitehouse on March 12, 1949. They shared 60 years together.

After immigrating to British Columbia in 1960, they spent three happy years in Port Alice on Vancouver Island. In 1963 they immigrated to the United States, choosing Missoula as their final destination. In 1966 Stan started a career spanning 25 years at Hoerner/Waldorf, later known as Stone Container. During that time, he met many people he was proud to call his friends, and who have remained so throughout his lifetime.

In 1968 Stan and Mavis started the construction of a beautiful family home in the Rattlesnake area. They finished the home in 1969 and took great pride in the fact that this home provided many years of love and stability to their family and friends.

After he completed the family home, one of Stan's passions became the game of golf. He enjoyed the men's leagues he played on well into his retirement. He was also able to spend many joyful rounds on the course with his grandchildren. He passed his love for the game onto them.

He is survived by his two children, Judith Pearce Waters and her husband Sam of Glasgow and John Pearce of Missoula; 11 grandchildren, Charley Waters and Casey Swanson of Minneapolis, Hannah Waters of Minneapolis, Tiffany Waters Larson and Brandon Larson of Minot, North Dakota, Shane and Lauren Pearce of Chicago, Nick Pearce, Austin Pearce and Aaron Pearce of Missoula, and Chelsea Vick of Chicago. Stan was blessed with one great-granddaughter, Sloan Mavis Larson of Minot.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Garden City Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Missoula Food Bank in Stan's name would be appreciated.
Read Stanely Pearce's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.