Elvis Pierce, 82, passed on May 11, 2021. He was born to Robert Pierce and Ruth Wilson Pierce in Booneville, Arkansas on September 01, 1938. Elvis' early childhood began in a home without running water, indoor plumbing or electricity. His brother Paul expressed, "... the walls didn't have insulation in them. When you woke up you had to get over to the fire. You'd stand in front of it and roast on the front side and freeze on the other."

While living in Arkansas, if they went to town, (which wasn't often), his father would hitch up a horse and buggy for the 5 to 6 mile trip. The kids would ride in the back. The highlight of the trip was the peppermint stick that his dad would get them as a treat. He would make it last a week!

Like so many did in the dust bowl days, in 1945 his father packed everyone up in a 1941 Dodge and began the journey of moving the family out to California "where the streets are paved with gold". After a brief stint in Bakersfield, they meandered up to Orange Cove, California. His father bought a 20' x 20' army surplus tent and they lived in that tent on a concrete slab while grandpa started to work building his own home and learning carpentry skills so he could go to work to support his family.

Elvis attended Orange Cove Elementary School and then Reedley High School where he played sports (football and baseball being his favorites) and graduated in 1958. He then invested at least one semester at Reedley Community College. He often said this was a great investment because when he got drafted in 1961 they lined up his platoon and the sergeant yelled out, "anyone with any college education, take one step forward." Elvis and two other young men stepped forward. The 3 of them got sent to Germany to assist with the Berlin Crisis, everyone else got sent to Southeast Asia (Vietnam).

Returning home after his service in the military, he worked for Longs Drug Store in Fresno, CA. A co-worker with two small children (both boys) had endured a tragedy when her husband was unexpectedly killed in a motorcycle accident. Several of their associates convinced Elvis to ask Pat Martin out to go roller skating just to get her out of the house and get her mind off of the events of recent months.

3 months later, Elvis and Pat were married!

They discussed waiting a bit of time, even though they were both smitten with one another, as it may appear that she was acting too quickly after such a significant loss. In short time, they discussed that other people's opinions matter less than their own hearts. Her parents, and her first husband's parents, were both greatly concerned with Pat's decision to marry quickly... that is until they met Elvis in person.

Elvis married Patricia Martin Sept 30th, 1966.

They were happily married and devoted to one another for 54 years.

Pat had two little boys at home. Larry was 3 years old and Dennis was 18 months old. The four of them were an instant family. Elvis had the wisdom to gently enter their lives. At one point Larry and Dennis asked him to adopt them. While he was immensely honored by the request, he explained to the boys how important it was for them to carry forward their Dad's name and honor the same.

Throughout their lives the words "step dad" or "step son" was never used. He was "Dad" and they were his "boys" or "sons". In 1968 they added another child to their family when Bobby was born and the Butch, Buddy and Bobby era had begun.

Elvis and Pat lived together in Fresno until 1971 when they moved to Tulare, California after Elvis, a commercial loan officer for Crocker Bank, accepted a transfer. After a few years at the bank, he took the opportunity to purchase a 50% stake in a local convenience grocery near the Matheny Track in Tulare named JB Food Mart. Shortly afterwards, he purchased the former Newman's Market on Inyo Street and opened up a store under his namesake, Pierce's Market near Roosevelt Elementary School in Tulare.

Elvis was well-known throughout the neighborhoods where he conducted business and at the Tulare Little League Baseball Park where he coached and served. He was the President of Tulare Little League. He also was a member in the local chapter of the Lions Club.

He developed and cultivated many dear friendships with people from nearly every walk of life. After closing his store in 1986, Elvis went to work with Lumberjack Building Materials where he retired in 2000. Known for his knowledge of building, Elvis was a natural born DIY advisor to Lumberjack customers and family members throughout his life. He could build and/or repair just about anything.

Elvis liked to "spin yarns" often. (Tell stories.) Some true, some questionable! He enjoyed a good laugh, an honest prank and anyone who knew him discovered rather quickly that his way of loving you was to tease you a bit. Nicknames were plentiful. "Pork Chop", "Peanut" to name a few. He called his great-granddaughters "his girlfriend"....His family meant everything to him. He served them. He loved them deeply. His eyes would frequently fill with tears witnessing the accomplishments of those surrounding and doing life with and beside him.

Prayers were answered time and time again as Elvis overcame many health challenges. He was not only known for his strength physically (don't knuckle challenge him), he amazed family and doctors alike by his fight for life! A life well lived by the kindness man you have ever known.

He is survived by his precious bride, Patricia. His three sons, Larry D. Martin (Becky Martin), Dennis "Bud" Martin (Debi Martin), Bob Pierce (Tawnya Pierce).

He is survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Elvis is survived by his sister, Donna (Ken) Miller, his brother Paul (Lois) Pierce, his brother Bob Pierce, and his youngest brother Larry (Judy) Pierce. Elvis had many aunts, uncles, in-laws, and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruth Pierce.