Obituary for Garland Frank Pierce of Southern Pines

Garland Frank Pierce (85), of Southern Pines, NC, passed away Nov. 15, 2022, peacefully at his home. 

Garland was born October 4, 1937, in Pinehurst’s Moore County Hospital to Arthur Garland and Dorothy Stutz Pierce. He attended public schools in Southern Pines, then graduated from Southern Pines High School in 1955 as president of his class.  Following high school, he attended North Carolina State College in Raleigh, NC where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was accepted into the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and obtained his private pilot’s license through the AF ROTC program. After graduation, he was employed by the US Navy in Oxnard, CA where he worked on helicopter radar systems, until the US Air Force sought him out in 1960 for active duty.  Later that same year, he married Patricia Bullard from Laurinburg, NC at NC Baptist Hospital Chapel, Winston Salem, NC.  His Air Force career spanned 6 years, obtaining the rank of Captain.  His first assignment in the Air Force was at Wright Patterson AFB, OH where he was part of a team that investigated B-52 bomber incidents. He was later stationed in Boston, MA as a plant representative at AVCO Research & Development. Following his air force service, Garland and Pat moved to Annapolis, MD where he spent 30 years working for various government agencies in Washington D.C. including the Army, Pentagon, Naval Intelligence Systems Command, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. While working full-time, he obtained a master’s degree in Political Science from Georgetown University.  He received numerous awards and honors while working for the federal government.

Garland and Pat had three children, Gary Pierce, Nancy Pierce Scavezze, and Daniel Pierce (Michelle), and six grandchildren.  Living in Annapolis, MD on the Chesapeake Bay, Garland was very active on the waterfront as he enjoyed sailing, motorboating, water skiing, fishing & crabbing.  Additionally, he served as treasurer for Boy Scouts troop 771.

After retirement, Garland and Pat returned to NC, settling in Pinehurst, where, besides golfing, he was involved in many volunteer activities.  These volunteer activities included Habitat for Humanity, tutoring math as part of the Literacy Council for students working towards their GED at Sandhills Community College, and serving as an usher and as a Stephen minister for Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 1pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to First Health Hospice and Palliative Care or to your favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email