Harold Thornton Pearce, 89
Harold Thornton Pearce, 89, passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2021, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Viewing will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at the Lakeview Funeral Home.
Harry was born on November 22, 1931, in San Francisco, California, to Will and Elizabeth Pearce. He grew up and attended school in Oakland. After high school graduation he attended St. Joseph’s Seminary in Los Altos, California, where he made lifelong friends, many of whom he still chatted with weekly. He served for many years as a Catholic priest and his parishioners loved him. In fact, everybody loved Harry.
He then went to work at Lockheed Martin as a senior technical editor until his retirement. One of his projects was the G.O.E.S. Satellite.
Harry married Darla Jensen on November 24, 1982, in San Jose. They moved to North Idaho in 2005.
He loved nature; walking on the beach, listening to the rain, or sitting in the sunshine and in his later years, feeding the birds and deer who visited his mountain home. Friends nicknamed him, “St. Francis” not just because of his love of animals and children but for their love of him.
He was an avid sports fan and was faithful to his Bay Area teams for most of his life but near the end he only had eyes for Gonzaga basketball, and would love to tell you why.
All who knew and loved him will, sorely feel his loss, his kind spirit and caring ear were a comfort to many and the world will be a sadder place without him.
He is survived by his wife, Darla Pearce of Sandpoint; daughters, Jennifer Pearce of Sandpoint, Cheri (Philip) Ciammaichella of Texas, Michelle (Donald) Patterson of Utah, and Gina Guay of Washington; sons, Rick Guay of Washington, Chad Griffiths of Utah, and Derek (Miledys) Jensen of Utah; 20 plus grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by children of Toni Wilhelm, Cort (Katrina) Neff of Alaska, Angela Neff of California, Sim Tovani of Washington, Keavy Neff of Washington, Erin Neff of California, Lani Neff (Matthew) Wallace of Washington, Allec Neff of Washington, Harry (Kari) Neff of Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Marie Halsey; brother, Robert Pearce; and granddaughter, Katie Ciammaichella.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Harry’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.