Garland Dean Pearce

Garland Dean Pearce Sr. died the evening on August 24, 2021 after a month’s battle with Covid related complications. He died peacefully in a rehab center in his home town of Midland.
He was born September 3, 1933 in Clarksville, Texas to Ted R Pearce and Euvella Joyce Key. He lived in Red River County until his teenage years, early 1950’s, when he moved to Midland Texas to be near his older sister Imogene. He enlisted in the US Army in 1953 and fought in the Korean Conflict. He obtained the rank of Corporal before leaving the Army in 1955.

He met Virginia Carol (Bess) Gary in the spring of 1956 and they married a short time later on August 23, 1956. Together they were missionaries for 5 years and traveled a lot doing this work. They settled in Denver Colorado in 1961 through 1971 and then moved to Paris Arkansas. To this union were born Hilda, Dean, Ginny, Don and Jon. Bess passed away on September 13, 1979 after 22 years of marriage.

He moved back to Midland where his parents and siblings were, shortly thereafter. He married Edwina Camp-Futrell on October 25, 1980 and they shared 35 years together until she passed on February 10, 2016.

Garland was active in various Baptist churches, the last being Wilshire Park Baptist Church. He was also an active participant in a Kairos prison ministry for many years. He also loved his morning coffee club friends. He and Edwina loved to travel and camped their way across most of the United States often accompanied by his brother Jerry and sister-in-law Sylvia and step daughter Trisha. Some of his best stories (and could he ever tell a story!), were from these trips. His favorite trips/stories were made with Jerry, back to their roots of Red River County.
Garland even wrote 2 books of stories (Down Home Stories and Remembering Red River), primarily about his childhood and travels. He loved to attend the Midland Farmers Market on Saturday mornings to sell his books, visit and witness to people about Jesus.

Garland had the privilege of participating in 2016 Honor Flight to Washington DC to see the military memorials. Garland passed his faith and love of Jesus down to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Imogene, Judy and Grant, his children Don, Jon, stepson Gary and grandson Chase. He is survived by his siblings Jerry Pearce (Sylvia), DeAnna Stidham (Vern) his children Hilda Crawford (Roy), Garland “Dean” Pearce Jr (Sheila), Virginia “Ginny” Horn (Ron), step daughters Patricia Wingo and Carolyn Quine; 12 grandchildren Jason Horn, Ehren Hall, (Robert), Kaitlin Merriam (Billy), Koleton Wingo, Michael Quine, Jake Quine (Amanda), Kristin Machen (Carson), Scott Futrell, Paige Jordon (Brandon), Grady Crawford (Jessica), Ryan Pearce and Rose Pearce; 13 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kairos Prison Ministry International or Wilshire Park Baptist Church, 801 S Bentwood Dr, Midland, TX 79703.

The visitation and funeral in Midland will be Monday August 30th, 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM respectively at Wilshire Park Baptist Church. Graveside service will be 4:00 PM, August 30th at Victor Cemetery in De Leon, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.