Donald "Don" Howard Pierce

Donald "Don" Howard Pierce, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011. He was born on September 17, 1945, to George Howard and Mary Jane Pierce, both of Little Rock. Don is survived by his beloved second wife and best friend Anne S. Pierce formerly of Fountain Hill, Arkansas. He leaves behind a son, Marcus A. Pierce of Little Rock, a daughter Casey S. Atwood and her husband Chris of North Little Rock, and a step-daughter Jennifer and her husband Jay Summerlin of Bryant. He was blessed with a myriad of beloved grandchildren: Samuel, Ethan, Tanner, Lindsey, Michael, Alex, and Shelbi all of whom he cherished. He is also survived by his first wife Alicia C. Edmiaston of Benton, his father Howard, and brother, John Pierce of Quitman, Arkansas. His mother was taken in 1992 after a hard fought battle with breast cancer. A lifelong outdoorsman, no fly-fisherman on the Little Red River was ever a stranger to Don. He was tumultuous in life as he was in death, and leaves a legacy of hunting and fishing to not only through his children and grandchildren but to friends and hunting buddies across the natural state. It was said of Don, he was one of those guys that gave more than he'll ever know. A graduate of LR Central High School 1963, Don went on to attend College at Henderson University in Arkadelphia. In 1968 he commissioned as Second Lieutenant through the Arkansas Military Academy; Don served almost 20 years in the Arkansas Army National Guard and Army Reserves. From 1982 to 2005 Don's was president and owner of Holiman Brick Company and an active member of the Arkansas Home Builders Association. Tenacious and unwilling to settle into retirement, Don worked with long time business partner and friend Joe Mardaugh and formed Arkansas Hearth and Home. Aside from work, Don found a passion and love in service of God through his Church, Pulaski Heights Christian. The family specifically wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Arkansas Hospice. Their kindness and dedication to "the calling" allowed Don to peacefully pass into God's hands. The family will host open visitation Sunday, June 12, 2011 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Roller- Chenal Funeral Home (501) 224-8300. Reverend Holly Patton will officiate Services at 11 a.m., Monday, at Pulaski Heights Christian Church, followed by interment at 3:30 at Lacey Cemetery in Fountain Hill, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights Christian Church, 4724 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, (501) 663-8149. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.