Ron Pierce

Ron Pierce, 78, of Little Rock, passed away suddenly on April 5, 2021. Born in Harrison to Grady and Stella Tackett Pierce, he was an engineer and former President and CEO of Garver Engineers and was a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church.

Ron and his brother Joe worked for their father Grady at Pierce Ready Mix in Harrison growing up. He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Saxon, in 1962, prior to attending what became the University of Missouri at Rolla, earning his degree in Civil Engineering. He played football both there and at Arkansas Tech University. Upon graduation, he worked at Crawford, Murphy and Tilley in Springfield, IL prior to joining Garver & Garver in 1968 as a design engineer.

Ron had a rather distinguished career leading what he referred to as the downhill crew and lead Garver several years as President and CEO as they expanded offices in the area of the country they served. He was a respected leader in his field, recognized by many professional organizations including the Arkansas Waste Water Association, the National and Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, Water and Wastewater Hall of Fame, and the Academy of Civil Engineers at both the University of Arkansas and UMR (now Missouri University of Science and Technology). He was a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states. The projects he and his team lead brought clean water and cleaned the wastewater of municipalities and cities across the state and region.

He was also a long time and active member in the Rotary Club including being a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as leader, counselor and mentor both in both professional and service aspects of this life.

But his favorite role in life was that of husband, father and grandfather. Always taking an active role in his family’s lives, he spent lots of hours fishing on the White River with Bev and his boys, grandkids when they could go, as well as fishing trips with his longtime friends, watching many a football or basketball game or tennis match, golfing with his fellow retirees, rooting for the Razorbacks in whatever season, attending dance recitals and baseball games - you name it - with that familiar smile and enthusiasm that will be missed by all who knew him.

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Beverly Pierce; children, Warren Pierce (Elizabeth), Michael Pierce and Amy Hallum (Phillip); brother, Joe Pierce; grandchildren, Anna Hallum, Kaia Pierce, Delaney Pierce, Wyatt Hallum, Ainsley Pierce, Tom Dellava, and Nick Dellava; and many other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Ron Pierce to the GarverGives STEM Educational Fund, First Security Bank, PO Box 17770, Little Rock, Arkansas 72222. Donations will be matched by Garver Inc. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200.  Ron’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.