Marvin Henry Piercy (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Marvin Henry Piercy, son of Henry and Nannie Barr Piercy, was born August 8, 1935, near Oakland, Missouri. He departed this life Monday, December 30, 2019, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, four months, and twenty-two days.
On January 25, 1964, he was united in marriage to Virginia Lee Brown, and to this union two sons, Kelly and Kevin, were born. Marvin loved his daughters-in-law Myra and Angie like they were his own daughters, and especially enjoyed his six grandsons Blake, Cole, Brock, Campbell, Morgan, and Griffin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Edmond Piercy; and on March 22, 2016 he lost his wife and love of over 52 years, Virginia.
He was born and raised in the Oakland, Missouri community, one of ten siblings and a close-knit family of numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He entered the military as a young man, served his country faithfully in the United States Army, and loved to tell stories from the time he was stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. After he and Virginia were married, they bought land near Oakland where he built her the house that became the home where they lovingly raised their sons and welcomed their grandsons.
Marvin worked in construction for most of his life and served as a lead man or foremen on many large projects in the Fort Leonard Wood, Lebanon and Springfield areas. In 1976, Marvin and three of his brothers formed Piercy Brothers Construction Company, specializing in concrete construction and general building. He was a skilled builder and enjoyed his work and never forgot a job or job site; any truck ride with him was a history lesson on the family’s work and people that they had met and helped. He especially enjoyed being able to work with his brothers for over 35 years.
He enjoyed being outdoors where he liked raising cattle and hunting and fishing with his family. He taught many of his grandsons how to hunt, fish, and drive the 4-wheeler and the tractor. He and Virginia always made a big garden and shared their produce with family and neighbors. Marvin also loved his purple martins and would sit for hours watching them and talking to them. He took pride in caring for his home and farm, and especially enjoyed raising and feeding fish in their pond. Visitors would often be treated to feeding time where his 10-15-pound catfish would come to the bank and eat. Marvin loved children and was proudly called “Uncle Marvin” by a host of family and friends.
Marvin made his profession of faith in Christ early in his life and was baptized a few years ago in the Osage Fork River. He and Virginia had attended several churches through the years, and faithfully supported each one with their talents.
Marvin was a provider who took care of his family and instilled in his sons not only a work ethic, but the knowledge of right and wrong, responsibility, accountability, and compassion among many other things. He taught that you should borrow things judiciously, and you return things in better shape than when you got them. If you damaged it beyond repair, you returned a new one in its place when you were able. He taught by example that you always help those in need, and that it’s noble to do so anonymously. He didn’t forget those who wronged him, but he did forgive. He always said, “if they can live with it, I guess I can too.” He wasn’t perfect, but he knew that and always worked to be better and wanted his sons to be better than him.
Marvin is survived by two sons, Kelly Piercy, and his wife, Myra, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Kevin Piercy, and his wife, Angie, of Springfield, Missouri; six grandsons, Blake, Cole, Brock, Campbell, Morgan, and Griffin; three brothers, James Piercy, and his wife, Deniece, Carl Piercy, and Richard Piercy, and his wife, Jacque, all of Lebanon, Missouri; five sisters, Ruth Zebel, of Fair Grove, Missouri, Margaret Williams, and her husband, Jim, of Republic, Missouri, Janet Myers, of Lebanon, Missouri, Judy Mitchell, and her husband, Ted, of Billings, Missouri, and June Piercy, of Ozark, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Marvin was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
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