Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, he enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served during World War II until 1946, first in the amphibious force and later in the hospital corps. He took part in America’s first expeditionary force of the war, landing in North Africa at Casablanca where he remained for 2 years. Later he was stationed at several U. S. Naval hospital laboratories in the U. S. and Panama. While at St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York he met his wife-to-be, Annie May Lovelace, a member of the WAVES, who was also stationed in the laboratory there and they were married on February 19, 1945. Following the war he graduated from the University of So. California, with a major in microbiology. In 1951, the couple with their baby daughter, moved to Greeley and he opened a medical laboratory in the Greeley Building at 8th St. and 8th Ave. This building, which was an opera house, no longer exists. Later he built his own building, located on 17th Ave. near 16th St. For 36 years Pierce Medical Lab ran lab tests on patients referred to it by area doctors and grew greatly in size, adding a lab in Loveland and also at the UNC Health Service and another at the Sunrise Community Health Center.
Lowel enjoyed pheasant hunting, cross-country skiing, tennis, camping with his family and travel with his wife. After retiring, the couple took many trips, going to all the continents except the Antarctic. He was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church in Greeley.
Lowel is survived by his wife of 74 years, Annie May, who was his partner in the lab, in raising a wonderful family, in skiing, camping and most other activities and to whom he gave his love and devotion. He was a gentle and sweet man and loved most of all just being with his family.
He is also survived by his five children: Luann Mathey (John) and Janet Earl (Jay) all of Loveland; Lowel Stu Pierce (Adriana) of Littleton; David Pierce (Dorothy Yellowbird) and Susan Pierce, all of Ft. Collins; his nine grandchildren: Travis Mathey (Deanna) of Steamboat Springs; Seth Mathey (Elizabeth) of Loveland; Alexis Pierce of Arlington, VA; Connor Pierce of Seattle; Jennifer Webster (Matt) of Berthoud; Chenoa Off, Liam Off, Lhasa Off all of Ft. Collins; and Sophia Pierce of Littleton; six great-grandchildren: Anthony and Isabelle Mathey of Steamboat Springs; James, Luke and Eva Mathey, all of Loveland; and Beckett Webster of Berthoud. Nathan (Sarah) Washam and great-grandchildren Austin and Jayden. He is also survived by his sister, Cherlene Williams of Brea, CA and brother-in-law, Stuart Lovelace of Wheatridge, CO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lowel and Jeannette Pierce, his sister, Arletta Seavey and her husband, Ralph Seavey.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the First Congregational Church of Greeley, 2101 16th St. A burial service will be at 10:00 a.m. on the same day at Linn Grove Cemetery, 1700 Cedar Ave.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Weld Co. or Halcyon Hospice in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Please visit www.allnuttgreeley.com to send condolences to the family.
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