Raymond Patrick Pierce

Raymond Patrick Pierce AKA “Big Dam Ray” May 17, 1972 – December 19, 2022 Ray was born May 17, 1972, at Arlington Memorial Hospital, Arlington, TX while his dad served in the US Navy. The proud poppa got to see his son for the first time May 31, 1972, when he returned home from deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. His wife and new son were waiting on him at Love Field in Dallas, Texas. Ray was a source of pride and joy for his mom and pop as he grew into the fine man he became. His sister Lesley Jane (Pierce) Ramirez came into his life in 1975 and he took care of his little sister throughout their growing up years. Ray joined Cub Scouts when he was seven and earned all the awards available. Sister Lesley was an honorary member and was with him all the way. Ray had asthma and allergies that prevented him from playing baseball and football, so he chose body building as his sport. Ray graduated Boyd Highschool, Boyd Texas in 1991. Ray won his division in the Southwest Regionals Body Building Championship that same year.

Upon graduation from high school, he decided to attend DeVry and obtained his Associates degree in Electronics graduating with honors. He switched from Body Building to Powerlifting while attending DeVry. Ray taught Drivers Education while attending school. He went to work for Southwestern Bell as an electronics tech following graduation. At the Texas Cup APF powerlifting championship in 2006, Ray obtained a long-time goal by squatting 1003 pounds. Only 19 other powerlifters in the world had accomplished that feat. In 2013 Ray won the World Powerlifting Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He continued his education and graduated DeVry’s bachelor program with honors. While working in the Network Operations Center for Southwestern Bell. He also completed his MBA from Keller Graduate University December 19, 2010, with Summa Cum Laude honors. Ray’s kidneys failed October 2019 and he was placed on dialysis. In May 2021 Ray received a kidney transplant. January 2022 Ray was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Ray married his long-time sweetheart Julie Thompson April 2022. December 19, 2022, the cancer overcame, and Ray passed away at 5:42 am. Ray leaves behind many friends in both Body Building and Powerlifting. He is survived by his wife Julie Thompson, his mother Carla Pierce, his father Ray Pierce, his sister Lesley Jane (Pierce) Ramirez and his nephew Derek Ramirez. Memorial visitation will be held 3 – 5 PM December 22, 2022, at: Forest Ridge Funeral Home Memorial Park Chapel 8525 Mid Cities Blvd. North Richland Hill, TX 76182 In lieu of flowers, please donate to the DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue Club https://www.dfwlabrescue.org/