Alton Ray Pierce Sr.

Alton Ray Pierce, Sr., of Homosassa, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the age of 78. The cause of death was congenital heart failure. This shocked his family and all who knew him because he had the best heart. Mr. Pierce was a modern-day cowboy: tough as a hardened piece of saddle leather, but generous, kind, and soulful, with an unshakable sense of morality. And like any well-known gunslinger, Mr. Pierce had many aliases: Dunk, Seaman, Daddy and Grandpapa. He was born April 11, 1939, to Huey and Voncile Pierce in Lucedale, Mississippi. The nickname Dunk was bestowed upon him as a young boy. Dunk, along with his older brother Stud (also a nickname), would travel to Homosassa in the summers to visit their Uncle Cecil. It was during one of those summers that he met Elta Elizabeth Head, who is affectionately known as "Judy". Dunk swept Judy off her feet by climbing to the top of a magnolia tree to give her the prettiest bloom. In 1957, after graduating from high school with a 4.0 GPA, Dunk moved to Homosassa and married Judy. Dunk and Judy were happily married for 58 years. When they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Dunk was asked if he would do it all again; he replied "Hell Yeah!" Dunk began working at Billboards and Signs during the day and shrimping at night. In 1962, Dunk purchased his first shrimp boat and established Homosassa Shrimp, Inc. Later, Dunk started a second business, Homosassa Seafood, Inc. As the businesses grew and technology advanced, he earned a new nickname -- Seaman. When CB radios were installed on his shrimping boats and trucks, "Seaman" became his handle. CB radios were used on the water and in the woods (he was an avid hunter), so CB slang became a part of his everyday lingo. Seaman ended phone calls by saying "standing by." For 55 years, Judy and Seaman endured hurricanes, the No Name Storm, and the Net Ban. Nevertheless, running the businesses never felt like work. Seaman loved to be on the water and in the woods. He felt very thankful to give back to a community that he held so dear. He was a member of the Organized Florida Fisherman, National Rifle Association, Gulf Hammock Hunting Association, and the Homosassa Civic Club. He was most proud of his family and all of their accomplishments. He loved being "Grandpapa" to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; daughter DeeDee and husband John Wilcox; son Alton Jr. (Mandy) and wife Karen; daughter Denise and husband Bryan Corley III; grandchildren Lt. Chadwick Wilcox, Felicia Forget, Jessica Lauderdale, Caitlin Wilcox, Alton Pierce III, J.B. Corley IV, great grandchildren Brooke, Dayton, Dalson, Celia, Alton IV, and Avery (whose estimated arrival date is October 23rd): siblings L.H. Pierce, Audrey Cline, Annette Davis, Marilyn Hastings, and Donna Martin. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Benjamin (Stud) Pierce. Friends will be received at Christian Center Church located at 7961 West Green Acres Street in Homosassa for a viewing on Tuesday, October 17th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., and the funeral service on Wednesday, October 18th at 11:00 A.M. with the Reverend Jason Hanks. Interment will follow at Stage Stand Cemetery. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate Seaman/Dunk/Mr. Pierce's life in their own special way. It would be appropriate to do an unsolicited act of kindness for someone who needs a special blessing because Alton Ray Pierce, Sr. was a blessing to his community and to all who knew him. He will be missed, but his family knows that Grandpapa is in heaven, "standing by." Services entrusted to Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa. www.wilderfuneral.com