James Earl Pearce

James E. (Pete) Pearce, 92, of Clarksville, passed away, Friday, September 26, 2025, at Focused Care Nursing Home.  Pete was born, April 7, 1933, in the Midway Community of Red River County to Dennis Austin and Doris Smith Pearce.  He graduated from Detroit High School and went on to receive his Bachelors of Education from East Texas State Teachers College and married Dorothy Ann Whittle on September 26, 1955.  Pete started teaching north of Clarksville at Dimple Schools. He later became a well-respected Agriculture Teacher at Clarksville High School. Some unfortunate students remember the homemade paddle hanging in his office. He had a heart of gold and always had a pocket full of Werthers candy to share with anyone he met and a dollar bill for children. Even in the nursing home, Pete made sure staff and visitors were offered a Dr. Pepper or water from his fridge.  Pete was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and bird hunting with his friends. He loved spending time on his family's farm in the Midway Community where he raised his cattle and grew his garden which he generously shared with the community.  Pete received his 70-year Masonic Pin and was a member of the Midway Missionary Baptist Church. His wife, Dorothy Ann Pearce and a sister, Patricia Pearce preceded him in death.

Survivors include two daughters, Jaymee Holder and husband, Terry of Wichita Falls and Shanta Pearce of Clarksville, devoted family member, Roxanne Brock, brother, Melvin "Tooter" Pearce of Weatherford, grandsons, Robert Austin Cooper, and William Thomas Cooper and spouse, Hayley, eight great grandchildren, Beau Cooper, Case, Colt and Briley Broumley, Adie and Eden Holder and Foster and Reese Cave, and one great-great grandson, Beckham James Cooper. 

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Lindeman Chapel of Clarksville Funeral Home with Rev. Don Shovan officiating.  Burial will follow in Detroit Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. 

Visitation will be an hour before service time. 

Pallbearers are Larry Townes, Walker Townes, Austin Cooper, Will Cooper, Don Shovan, Clint Whittle, Paul Smith and Terry Holder.

Honorary Pallbearers are Wayne Eilers, Delma Gibbs, Kenneth Jefferies, Frank Stubblefield, Gaylon Legate, Mickey Minter, Judy Delamare and Ginger Foster, the late, Glen Commons, the late, Billy Edwards and the late, Morris Foster. 

The family will receive friends and hour before service time. 

Memorials may be made to the Midway Community Center, C/O Venita Jo Morris, 3866 FM 3281, Detroit, Texas 75436.

The family would like to thank the staff of Focused Care of Clarksville for their care.

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