“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’” – Hunter S. Thompson
This world lost a poet, an artist, a photographer, an outdoorsman, a chef, an adventurer, a scholar, a gentle soul… Wind River Scotty was joyfully reunited with his parents, Carl J. and Kathryn Pearce, on Sunday, May 1. If there are high mountain lakes in heaven, CJ and Scotty are fishing.
Scott “Fierce” Pearce grew up in Evanston. He graduated from Evanston High School in 1974. He married Holly Hirst and moved to Roy, Utah, where they raised two children. They later divorced. Scott married Joleen Pearce in 1993, and they built a life together in Pleasant View, Utah.
Scott was a lifetime seeker of knowledge, a talented writer, and a phenomenal poet. Scott was deeply spiritual. His church was nature. His worship was the maintenance of his magical backyard. He hosted many barbecues, family gatherings and weddings. Scott will be missed at Christmas parties for which he dressed in character for the chosen theme. We will miss his prayers over the Christmas Eve dinners he proudly prepared.
Scott dedicated 40 years to Union Pacific Railroad. As an engineer, he enjoyed the camaraderie of his brother railroaders. He retired in 2012, when a flu shot caused a neurological disorder. He remained active, continued hiking and working on projects. In 2021, Scott was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Several months later, he lost his beloved home to a house fire.
Scott slipped quietly away from his wife, Joleen “Bubby” Pearce; his sisters, Linda Fusselman (Dave Rowley) and Lauree Sigler (Terry); six children of a blended family, Chris Gerrard (Tara), Samuel Pearce (Trulee), Taryn Pearce (Brian Manor), Tony Demori, Sunny Varney (Scott) and Nicole Simmons (William Gilchrist). He was adored and loved by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beloved pets.
We don’t understand the value of moments until they become memories. We will never walk alone on a mountain trail, and Scotty will be with us around every campfire. He loved these moments. Cherish them and say a silent prayer that there are mountains to climb in heaven.
We extend gratitude to Applegate Hospice, Canyon Hospice and Barrington Place for their compassionate care. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Scott’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.org/donate/).
