Woodrow 'Wood' Leon Pierce, 91

Woodrow Leon Pierce, 91, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Jan. 23, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Woodrow (aka Wood) was born July 16, 1931, in Buffalo, N.Y., to David W. Pierce and Rose Randolph Pierce. He was raised in Buffalo along with his older brother, Ben, and younger sister, Marie.

He served this great country he loved from 1947-1949, in the U.S, Navy.

Wood married MaryAnn Pooley Pierce, the love of his lifetime, in Kenmore, N.Y., on July 29, 1950. In Buffalo, Wood and MaryAnn had a daughter Mary (aka Marina) L. Pierce in 1951, and middle son, William (aka Bill) D. Pierce, in 1954.

In 1956, Wood, MaryAnn and their two children moved from Kenmore, N.Y., to Fullerton, Calif. Wood took a job at Hughes Aircraft company, and bought his first home in Fullerton. He worked as an electrical engineer, specializing in radar systems that were used in defense contracts. Often these jobs would take him overseas.

In 1959, their youngest son, Jerry B. Pierce was born. Wood and his family enjoyed southern California living. He and MaryAnn raised Vizslas and entered their dogs in field trails. He enjoyed fishing, diving, and boating activities, and as in his youth, hunting and camping. He had a reputation for being able to fix anything, from the family TV, to an old cabin cruiser he enjoyed taking the family fishing on!

In 1989, when retirement came, Wood and MaryAnn moved up to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They enjoyed the lifestyle of the great northwest, continuing activities of hunting and fishing and added adventures of owning horses and organic farming. Wood and MaryAnn founded “Pierce Berry Farm” and their raspberries were sold to local restaurants. He enjoyed having seasons again in Idaho. Wood and MaryAnn also enjoyed dancing with each other whenever they could. Wood continued to own Vizslas all of his life.

Wood was preceded in death by his father, David; mother Rose; and brother Ben. Also preceded in death by his beloved MaryAnn in 2016 and his beloved grandson, Cody J. Pierce in 1994.

He is survived by his children, Marina Mary Pierce; and sons, Bill D. Pierce, and Jerry B. Pierce and his wife Julie D. Pierce; his grandchildren: Gabriel Pierce Christian and his wife Rebecca A. Christian, Eric S. Pierce Christian and his wife Emily R. Christian, Jesse Hennings and Callie A. Pierce; great-grandchildren: Camille Hennings, Gavin P. Christian, Vincent J. Christian and Jasmine H. Christian.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 17, 2023, at The First Presbyterian Church (521 Lakeside Ave. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814). After the service, a gathering of family and friends will be held in the Family Center at the Church. At 2 p.m., there will be a short graveside service with a military salute at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens (7315 Government Way. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815). Please visit Wood’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.