Henry 'Hank' F. Pierce
October 27, 1936 - June 2, 2023
Henry “Hank” F. Pierce went home to meet his Lord and Savior on June 2, 2023. He was born on October 27, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Henry Fletcher Pierce, III and Edith Lorraine (Campbell).
Hank graduated from Hays High School in 1954 and received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University in 1961. He was a proud Beta Theta Phi and cherished lifelong relationships with his fraternity brothers. He enjoyed planning and attending their reunions including trips to Branson, Wichita, Colorado Springs, and the Hill Country of Texas.
He served as a private first class in the United States Marine Corps from 1956-1958, and was stationed in Okinawa.
Hank’s successful career started as project manager for Hunter Construction Company from 1961-1966. In 1967, he started Pierce - Schippers Construction Company with his partner, John Schippers. Together they built many of Hays’ iconic buildings including St. Anthony’s Hospital, Hadley Hospital, Gross Memorial Coliseum, Midwest Energy, Rarick Hall, McMindes Hall, Wiest Hall, Hays High School, Midwest Energy, Epworth Towers, Epworth Village, Centennial Towers and St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.
Hank enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, tournament bridge, and poker. He also enjoyed playing recreational basketball, which he did into his later years.
On June 2, 1962, he married Patricia Isbell and they had three daughters: Jane, Carrie and Lisa. Their fondest memories of their dad are golfing and swimming at Smoky Hill Country Club, the houseboat and fishing at Wilson Lake, track meets, bowling, playing Putt Putt, watching sports, eating at Taco Grande, and enjoying his barbecued hamburgers.
On July 15, 1979, he married Mary Lynn Crow and they had two children: Hank and Michelle.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lynn Pierce of Cleveland, OH; his sister Mary Beth (Larry) Sayre of Colleyville, TX; his five children: Jane (Sonny) Lewis of Hays, KS, Carrie Stremel of Hays, KS, Lisa Pierce of Hays, KS, Henry Pierce of Colorado Springs, CO, and Michelle (Sam) Cario of Cleveland, OH; his nine grandchildren: Cody Baker of Hays, Audrea (Salv) Marciano of San Antonio, TX, Amy Stewart of Wichita, KS, Brittany Baker of Hays, Ashley (Aaron) Durbin of Upland, CA, Heather (Jeremy) Dixon of Hays, Jordan (Crysta) Stremel of Denver, CO, Holly Donaldson of Hays, Hannah Donaldson of San Antonio, TX, Alec Cario and Sebastian Cario of Cleveland, OH. Hank also has nine great-grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister Patricia Anne Pierce.
In his memory, his daughter, Jane and granddaughter, Audrea, will travel to Scotland in the Spring to visit St. Andrews Links and the highlands of the Campbell clan. It was always their dream to visit their ancestral home and play golf together.
"Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”- Matthew 25:23
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!
Charles Wesley