Donald Harris Pierce

Donald Harris Pierce, 94, of Boulder, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2025.

Don was born on October 10, 1931, to Alice Mae Pierce and Kenneth Holmes Pierce at his grandfather’s farm near Charlevoix, Michigan. He grew up in Williamsburg, Ohio, where he attended high school. In high school, Don played on the baseball and basketball teams for three years, was class president his junior and senior years, and participated in the journalism and drama clubs and served as editor of the yearbook. He graduated from Williamsburg High in 1949. He grew up a Cincinnati Reds fan watching games at Crosley Field. He enjoyed three World Series titles in his lifetime, but also wondered how many others might have been lost when Frank Robinson was traded away.

After high school, Don served several years in the naval reserves and worked for Ohio National Insurance Company and then McCalls. At Ohio National while serving as coach of the women’s company softball team, he met Grace Elaine Cowan, a light-hitting second baseman who was nifty with the glove and a terror on the basepaths. They married on June 23, 1956, in Norwood, Ohio, a marriage that spanned eight decades together before his passing. Together, they welcomed sons David, born in 1959, and Andrew, born in 1962. In 1968 when Don accepted a position with Neodata, they moved to Boulder, Colorado, a move Don would often describe as one of the best things he ever did. Don rose through the ranks at Neodata, but still enjoyed participating in the company sponsored softball team. Don stayed with Neodata until his retirement in 1986. In addition to the two boys, they also provided a home for numerous dogs, a few cats, a wild mouse, and many fish. And although not a pet, they also somehow befriended a magpie that would visit them often for several years in their yard for hours each time.

In retirement Don found joy in traveling with family and friends, fishing, golfing, and spending time at home and during the holidays with family and neighbors in their new home in Lafayette. Don was an available grandfather that helped care for and raise his four grandchildren. He made innumerable trips to Estes Park and other towns to watch their football, basketball, baseball, and soccer games. Don also took a great deal of pride in the time he invested in outreach to Navajoland in Utah. The trips ignited an admiration for the Navajo people and for the artwork they created. Don would go on to financially support nonprofits aimed at helping indigenous peoples for the rest of his life while educating others about the unfair way they were too often treated by our country.

He was known for his warm smile, enjoying a laugh, tender heart, and selfless support of others creating a lasting impact on those around him Though he is deeply missed, Don’s legacy lives on in the love of his family. He is survived by his wife, Grace; his sons, David and Andrew; his daughter-in-law, Jennie; his grandchildren, Taylor, Sarah, Zachery, and Daniel, his great grandchildren K'ehlani, Santiago, and Charlotte, all of whom will carry with them Don’s hearty presence, generosity, and devotion to one another.

Don was preceded in death by his younger brother Edward Pierce in 2020.

A memorial service for Don will be held on February 14 at 1PM at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Boulder.

Don’s joyful spirit made life brighter for all who knew and loved him.