Garth Pierce
ROY – Thomas Garth Pierce, 83, died Friday, August 21, 2009 at his home of stomach cancer.
He was born May 19, 1926, to John M. and Estella Harris Pierce in Malad, Idaho. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Europe during World War II.
Garth married Beverly Richardson in February of 1946. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in October of 1957. Garth and Beverly started square dancing in 1950. Garth was one of the first callers in the Ogden area. He called for several clubs in the Northern Utah Area: The Salt Lake Promenaders, The Buckles and Bows, The Castoffs, and several kids clubs. For 30 years he called for the Red Hots!.
Garth was dedicated to Square Dancing. Garth and Beverly were the 8th Presidents of the Intermountain Square Dance Association, now known as the Northern Utah Square Dance Association. Garth was President of the Ogden Area Callers Council. An annual dance was given its name by Garth, the Square –A-Rama. This dance is still being held. It is in its 52nd year.
Garth has been a part of square dancing for 59 and-a-half years. He loved calling, dancing and teaching people how to dance. He will be truly missed by all who knew him and danced with him.
His first wife Beverly died in March of 1979. Garth met his current wife, Ann Wallace Jones at the Single Swinger Square Dance Club in 1979. They were married on February 11, 1980. They were sealed in the Ogden LDS Temple in May of 2003. Garth and Ann continued to support Square Dancing until his death.
He is survived by his soul mate and love of his life, Ann; his children and their spouses, Kathleen (Brian) Hansen, Terry (TC) Pierce, Lynn (Jeff) Shulz, Cindee (Norm) Stanley, Ken (Leslie) Jones, Greg (Natalie) Pierce, and Tami (Erik) Waller; 36 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.
Also surviving is one brother, Jack Pierce, Hawaii; and a sister-in-law, Betty Pierce, Ogden.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, his mother and father, one sister, and two brothers.
Thanks to Specialty Nursing Services who were there from the beginning, especially Dannielle and Cindy.
Thanks to Becky, Chris, Valeda, Cassie, Mike, Merrilie and all others from Inspiration Hospice.
Funeral services will held Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
Friends and family may all at the mortuary on Friday, August 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 29 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.
Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com