The Richmond News, Nov. 1, 2024

James Pierce James Charles Pierce, 82, of Rayville passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at NorthCare Hospice House in North Kansas City.

James was born Aug. 12, 1942, in Carthage, the son of Jack Albert and Iona Mae (Richardson) Pierce.

He was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Sappington of Weston on June 18, 1962. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include three sons, Jim (Sarah) Pierce of Richmond, Scott (Barb) Pierce of Richmond and Gerry Jack (Glenda) Pierce of Lee’s Summit; two grandsons, Dalton Pierce and Noah Pierce, both of Blue Springs; and three brothers-in-law, Preston (Carol) Sappington of Parkville, Mark (Beth) Sappington of Diamond and John Sappington of Sebastopol, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lance Pierce; and sister, Jackie Pierce.

James Charles Pierce was quite a guy! His parents were Iona and Jack Pierce. His brother was Ronald Lance and his sister Jackie Ann.

He grew up and graduated high school in 1960 in Grandview. He then attended National College in Kansas City on a basketball scholarship and work study.

Patricia Sappington also was attending National College while her dad, Rev. Gerald Sappington, attended seminary. She often practiced piano and organ in the campus chapel.

It was Jim’s work study that led him to the love of his life. He soon was spending quite a bit of time cleaning the windows in the practice rooms. A spotless chapel is where they exchanged names, and within a year, wedding vows.

They were married the following June in 1962. Jim and Patricia became parents of three wonderful sons, James David (Sarah), Daniel Scott (Barbara) and Gerry Jack (Glenda); and two loving grandsons, Dalton and Noah. Jim was so proud of his family.

On Jim’s death at 82, he had lived such a full and happy life. He was always loving and faithful with his family. Right up to his illness, which started with COVID on Sept. 2, 2024, he taught six exercise classes to seniors three times a week. When he hit SilverSneakers age, he started teaching those exercise classes. It was his effort to help keep himself and others in good health. And he dressed the part to energize folks by wearing coordinated and intensely colored outfits with matching fedoras. His classes were always accompanied by his wild and crazy CDs.

Jim worked 20 years in land surveying and the next 20 years working for the U.S. Postal Service. In 1992, Jim and Patricia built a home north of Richmond, where they lived. He and his family planted about 800 fruit trees on his 40 acres. In the fall, he would have gatherings to eat and press apple juice with friends and family. As the trees began bearing fruit, he was led to selling apples at farmers markets to apple-eaters throughout the Kansas City and Richmond areas. Later, his energies and apples were the foundation for Of The Earth Farm Distillery.

We will miss him dearly. A celebration of life will be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Eagleton Center in Richmond. Inurnment will be held at a later date by the family. Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond is in charge of the arrangements.

Please share your memories of James with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome. com.