Ray Pearce

Ray "Sleepy" Pearce Jr. of Benton passed away Sept. 24, 2011 at the VA Hospital. He was born July 31, 1925 to Ray Sr. and Iva Lee Pearce in Pine Bluff. He received his education in Pine Bluff and University of Missouri and Arkansas State University. He was a member of First Christian Church in Pine Bluff. Ray was employed by the Arkansas Gazette and retired in 1987 with 35 years of service. He then owned R & P Printing Company where he worked side-by-side with Bettie and son Tommy, and a host of others. He retired in 2001. Ray was elected Potentate of the Scimitar Shrine Temple in 2000. He was past President of South Central Shrine Association, President of Scimitar Highlanders, member of Alumina Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies, Bendemeer Grotto, Royal Order of Jesters Court 12 and was recipient of DeMolay Legion of Honor. Ray served his country in World War II in the U.S. Navy. He was aboard the USS Belle Grove from 1943–1946 and saw action in the South Pacific. He made three invasions: Leyte, Luzon and Iwo Jima. He was awarded five Bronze Stars. He never shared any of his war experiences until the last few years. The one thing he loved to share was the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, then lowered and a larger flag was raised. He was an avid Razorback fan and he and Bettie never missed a game in over 30 years. He also loved the horse races. His son Tommy would take him to Hot Springs to the races when he could no longer drive. He coached Little League Baseball for a number of years at Junior Deputy Field where he coached both Skip and Tommy. Ray was a good provider and loved his home and taking care of his family. He and Bettie loved to dance to the 30's, 40's big band music, and they won dance contests. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Thomas Earl "Tommy" Pearce and Ronald Lee Pearce; sisters, Edna Earle Bailey, Patsy Howell; brother, Donald Lee Pearce and little dog, Dee. Ray is survived by his loving wife Bettie (Atkins) Pearce of 62 years and 10 months; son and daughter-in-law Ray, III (Skip) and Debbie Pearce of Hot Springs; sisters-in-law, Hazel Miller of Hot Springs, Martha Sue Pearce Bost of Pine Bluff; brother-in-law, Jimmy Atkins of Hot Springs; seven nephews, one niece and special friends, Roger Benge and J. Michael Jackson. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW Corner I-630 and Barrow Rd) with Reverend Mike Snell officiating. There will be no visitation. Mr. Pearce's burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Scimitar Temple Memorial Fund, #1 Scimitar Circle, Little Rock, Ark., 72009, or Pulaski County Humane Society, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, Ark., 72210. There will be a lunch reception at Scimitar Temple, #1 Scimitar Circle immediately following the service. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Pearce's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.