Thomas Leon Pearce

Thomas Leon Pearce, 71, of Maumelle, passed away Friday, March 18, 2022, in Little Rock, Arkansas. His battle with serious heart issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges. Despite the pain (that he wouldn’t admit he had) he stayed strong until the end. He was born April 1, 1950, in Omaha, Nebraska. He had a quick wit and it’s no coincidence that he was born on April Fool’s Day.

After graduating high school in Rhode Island, under the watchful eye of his brother Bud Clous, he and his wife Sue convinced him to join the Navy, where he served four years from 1968 - 1972 as a radar man. When his Navy career ended, he earned his certification to become a boilermaker for Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked for 49 years. He married twice — first to Becky Vance (now Christianson), who had 2 children and with whom he would have 2 more, and second to Bonnie Foral, who had 1 daughter and with whom he would have 1 more.

He was very fond of John Wayne movies and grew an affinity for golf and became quite the decent player. After retiring he played weekly with some of his best friends but would sometimes leave the course with less money than he came with.

During the latter stages of his railroad career, he was able to travel to different sites and help supervise the fixing of trains and would sometimes bring his golf clubs with him on traveling jobs. He became a fan of the LPGA, as well as women’s college basketball.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Pearce; father, Merrill Pearce; three brothers, Bud Clous, Gary Clous and Tim Pearce; as well as his wife Bonnie Pearce.

He is survived by his 2 sisters, Sandra (Rick) Peterson of Cottage Grove, Minnesota and Mari Jacoba of Indianapolis, Indiana; sister-in-law, Sue Clous of Norfolk, Virginia; and four children, daughters, Beckie (Bryan) Gray of Sheridan, Elizabeth (Josh) RIeber of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kristin (Dustin) Warner of North Little Rock, as well as son Todd Pearce of Maumelle. He was a proud Poppie to his seven grandchildren, Annie, Allie, Caleb, Rylee, Emily, Ashlyn and Canon, and his five great-grandchildren. He was also loved by many extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, March 25, 2022 at Smith Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107). A reception will follow the memorial service at The Villa's of Country Club Clubhouse (10701 RichSmith Lane).