Thomas "Larry" Pierce, 63, born November 22, 1946 passed away at Oak Ridge Methodist Medical on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Larry was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Burdette and Mabel Watson Pierce and brothers Jim and George. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Betty Kay LovVorn Pierce and daughter Lydia Kathleen Pierce. He is survived by brother Robert Jackson Cummings and a multitude of friends. He graduated from MTSU in 1968 with a B. S. in Chemistry. He was employed by Celenease Chemical Company in Louisville, Kentucky before entering the United States Army, and serving in the chemical corp. He earned a MBA from the University of Tennessee in 1972. Larry was employed with ORNL, K-25 and Y-12 plants retiring with 30 years service. Post retirement employment was with Sandia National Lab in New Mexico, Anderson County Farmer's Co-op, and most recently with the Anderson County School System as Human Resource Director. He was an active volunteer with the 4-H and FFA programs in Anderson County for over 20 years, helping children with livestock projects. Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton, serving as a deacon for 28 years, Sunday School teacher and member of the choir. Larry was a Renaissance man who loved history, nature, literature, writing, and entertaining. He loved singing, whistling, and laughing.
The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church, Clinton, TN on Friday, March 19 from 4:00-7:30 with funeral services following. He will be buried in the Old Orchard Cemetery, Petersburg, TN with full military honors on Saturday March 20, 2010 at 2:00p.m. Pall bearers will be Eddie Bates, Wes Counts, Matthew Foster, Michael Foster, Michael LovVorn, and Skip Weber. Honorary Pall bearers are Loy Ball, Mike Harmening, Joe Hall, Greg Fay, Larry Foster, and Jim Sanderson. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Eagle's Nest Youth Ministries, P.O. Box 763, Clinton, TN 37717. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of the arrangements. www.holleygamblefh.com