James "Dene" Pearce (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James “Dene” Pearce was born March 31, 1932 to John E. Pearce and Effie Faye Holder Pearce near Competition, Missouri. He passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at his home in Warsaw, Missouri at the age of ninety-one years, eleven months and sixteen days of age.
Dene grew up in the Competition Community before moving with his family to Kansas City, Missouri. After completing his schooling, he was united in marriage to his lifelong love, Evelyn Goodman, on December 17, 1950. They shared over sixty-five years of marriage before she passed away on October 16, 2016.
Following his marriage to Evelyn, he joined the United States Air Force where he faithfully served his country. Following his service in the military, he and Evelyn made their home in the Kansas City area. He was employed as an electrician in the maintenance department for twenty years at Truman Medical Center and for ten years at Menorah Hospital. He was a member of the I.B.E.W. for fifty years.
Dene is survived by two daughters, Tracie Hunsaker of Warsaw, Missouri and Linda Poos of Independence, Missouri; two sisters, Nola Parker and Bonnie Williams, both of Lebanon, Missouri; two brothers, Jefferson Gene Pearce of Warsaw, Missouri and Kenneth Pearce of Ozark, Missouri; six grandchildren, Trinidy, Leigh Ann, Jennifer, Crissy, Karla and Jeremy; and ten of great-grandchildren., Alex, Divonte, Lexi, Nevaeh, Zoey, Briauna, Madeline, Jayden, Khloe and Evelyn Faye.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Effie; his wife, Evelyn; an infant daughter in 1951; his son, Russell; his daughter, Joyce; a great-granddaughter, Effie Marie; three brothers, Jerrell, Ray and Lloyd; a sister, Clara Bell Parker; and his son-in-law, Rick Poos.
Dene and Evelyn loved all their children so very much and took on the task of caring for their special needs child, Russell. At the time they were raising him, it wasn’t common or encouraged for families to take on the responsibility of a special needs child. Dene and Evelyn were pioneers in this area and helped in paving the way for other families in the Kansas City area to care for their own special needs children.
Dene was a great father. His life revolved around his family and he loved them all very much.
He had a wonderful sense of humor and was quick-witted. He really enjoyed April Fool’s Day and had a joke for everything.
Words cannot adequately express the impact Dene has had on the lives of his family and so many others. His conviction and loyalty were forever etched on the lives of those he touched. He loved his family and was a big part of their lives. His absence will leave a great void, but the memories they made with Dene will live on for many years to come.
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