He graduated from Avenal High School and attended San Diego State University. While at San Diego State he welcomed his first son, Jeff, in February of 1965. He was hired as a deputy sheriff on December 1, 1966. He began his career as a bailiff and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Fresno County Sheriff-Elect in 1998. In January of 2006, he announced he would retire at the end of his second term, bringing an end to a 40-year career at the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department.
While at the Sheriff’s Department, he met his wife, Bev, who was working as a dispatcher at the time. They got married on September 15, 1979 and had four children – Brian, Jason, Michael, and Brittany.
Before kids, Richard and Bev enjoyed many winters snow skiing and summers water skiing together. They moved to Clovis in 1987 where they began raising their kids. Richard enjoyed nothing more than spending time with their children and taking them wherever their sports activities led. In his retired years, Richard refurbished his 1972 Chevrolet pick-up, which became a prized possession of his. He also jumped into a hobby he loved, woodworking. Richard was an exemplary craftsman and found great joy in building many various projects for his kids. He was also active in BSF and prison ministry.
Richard was a wonderful grandfather, and thoroughly enjoyed laying on the ground playing with the grandkids. He will always be remembered for his contagious laugh, his love for the San Francisco Giants, his ability to eat a whole package of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk in one sitting, dove hunting, and most importantly his love for his family.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Pierce (1946), Roy “Tex” Young (2009), Edith Young (2016), and his sister, Sharon Pierce (1998).
He is survived by his wife Bev Pierce of Clovis, son Jeff Pierce of Clovis (wife Gaynell, children Zachary and Alyssa), son Brian Pierce of Clovis (wife Ashley, son Xander and twin girls due in October), son Jason Pierce of Clovis (wife Lindsey, children Kenley and Kolton), son Michael Pierce of Madera (wife, Tara, children Austin, Bodie and Brylee), and daughter Brittany Henderson of Kingsburg (husband Aaron, children Taylen, Hadley, Trey and Eli) and his sisters Edith MacFarlane of Hanford and Sandra Frech of Sanger.
A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at The Well Community Church-Clovis Campus, 325 Nees Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard's memory may be made to Elim Place, 1808 5th Street, Sanger, California 93657.
