Evan Neal Pierce, 96, was called to his Heavenly Home on August 8, 2021.
Evan Neal was born May 20, 1925, near Balko, OK to Earl and Bessie Pierce. He learned the meaning of hard work and perseverance from his parents while growing up during the tough days of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in the Oklahoma panhandle.
A man of a truly bygone-era, before gas-powered engines and tractors were available, he drove a team of horses to plow the fields at their farm. He and his seven siblings shared bath water every Saturday night and all squeezed into a Model T Ford to go to church on Sundays.
Developing a love for music, animals, and the outdoors early on in life, he participated in sports as well as 4-H, Boy’s Glee Club, and Vocal Solos at Beaver High School. After graduating, he got a job driving a Balko school bus. He became attracted to a cute rider, Myrtle Wright. He patiently waited until she graduated from high school before asking her for a date. He and Myrtle were married on October 19, 1947. Later in life, when asked how they had met, with a twinkle in his eyes he would joke, “I picked her up on the side of the road.” A match made in heaven, they celebrated 72 years of marriage before Myrtle passed in 2019.
As a young family, they settled on the farm where Evan was born. In addition to farming, he managed business as a seed dealer, and was elected to three terms as Beaver County Assessor. Together with Myrtle, they lovingly raised five daughters on the farm. Along with Myrtle, his greatest helper, the whole family worked the 1,200-acre farm together. Dedicated to his Christian faith, he displayed his love of music by serving his church as a song leader. Later as grandchildren came along, he loved telling them stories and taking them in his truck to feed the cattle on the farm.
Evan retired from farming at age 75 and he and Myrtle moved near Fairview, OK. During retirement, he restored an original 1929 John Deere tractor, the same one used by Myrtle and her father several decades prior, proudly driving it in the Major County Historical Threshing Bee & Two Cylinder Show. In 2016 they moved to Amarillo, TX.
Survivors include his five daughters, Eva Forbes of Gering, NE, Sharon Alison and husband Skye of Blue Springs, MO, Donna Harrold of Weatherford, OK, Kathy McGehee and husband DeLynn of Amarillo, TX, and LaVonda Klemme of Lexington, KY; twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Waiting in heaven to welcome him was his wife, Myrtle; parents, Earl and Bessie Pierce; sisters, Betha, Eva Prue, Adella, Dorene, and Hazel; brothers, Escal, Marvin, and Aubrey; grandson, Mason Harrold; and great-grandson, Harrison McGehee.
A service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Balko Community Faith Church in Balko, OK. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
A remarkable man, husband, father and grandfather. A faithful follower of Christ.
Oh how we loved this wonderful couple! We loved visiting with them at church, going to the donut shop and driving them Noth around at the Threshing Bee. We loved to listen to their stories and listen to Evan sing! He was our song leader for years! He was a a man of knowledge! Oh Evan how we will miss your smile and that ornery twinkle in your eye! See you in Heaven!