Kenneth Raymond Pierce October 12, 1936 - July 21, 2021

Kenneth Raymond Pierce passed away peacefully on July 21, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born to Claude Raymond Pierce and Edith Marsing Pierce on October 12, 1936, in Price, Utah.

Kenneth grew up working on the family farm and was an expert farmer and gardener. He spent many happy days on the mountain as a cowboy for his uncles, running the family cattle and sheep ranch. He was a true cowboy, and though he moved on and received a formal education, the farm and ranch lifestyle was always his first love. This is where he learned the value and satisfaction of hard work. He taught his children and grandchildren to find joy in even the hardest task. Working with Ken was always a fun adventure, and always gratifying.

Ken received his high school diploma from Carbon High School, in Price, Utah. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah; and his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a marriage and family therapist.

Ken married the love of his life, Kathryn June Oviatt in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on December 14, 1960. Together, they created a beautiful family of two sons and four daughters. Their family was their passion. All of their time was devoted to providing for, teaching, loving, and playing with them. Ken had the gift of making each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feel like they were his favorite. This gift was extended to friends, coworkers, and members of his church.

He worked as the State Director of Ettie Lee Boys Homes. He was a social worker at Utah State Hospital in Provo, Utah, as well as at the Utah State Training School in American Fork, Utah. He had a private practice as a marriage and family therapist. He was also a social worker at DaVita Dialysis in Provo and American Fork, Utah. He and his wife, Kathryn, owned and operated Assoc. KenCo. Inc. a commercial floor covering installation business.

Ken was always a cowboy at heart. It was important for him and Kathryn to own a farm to teach their children to grow a garden and raise livestock in order to learn the joy of hard work. At their farm in Payson, Utah, they raised registered Suffolk Sheep and other livestock for their livelihood. Ken was an expert gardener. They worked alongside each other on the farm, as a family.

Ken had a natural gift for music. He had a beautiful singing voice and was a gifted guitar player. He never learned to read music but could play and sing any song by ear. He had a talent of making up lyrics to fit the person he was singing to. Kathryn is an accomplished musician, as well, and taught her Cowboy to love symphony, opera, and musicals. His family spent thousands of hours sitting at his feet while he serenaded them.

Ken loved the outdoors: camping, fishing, hunting, and connecting with God’s beauty. His compassion for people led him to his profession, where he changed the lives of many people.

Kenneth was an active member of The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in the West Central States Mission. He served as Bishop, High Councilman, and various positions with the youth. Ken and Kathryn served together in the Hong Kong China Temple Mission. Their faith was the foundation by which they lived their lives.

He is survived by his devoted sweetheart, Kathryn “Katie Did.” Also, survived by his sister-in-law, Lola Pierce; and his children: Steven (Lori) Pierce, Kristin (Tom) Christensen, Taralee Richardson, and Leslie (Michael) Tanner; as well as by 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Edith Pierce; his brother, Larry Pierce; and his sisters: Claudia Marietti, and Doris (and her two loving husbands: Wesley Hawkins and Dan Baldwin). Also preceded in death by his son, Larry Stewart; and his daughter, Meredith; and son-in-law, Gregg (Shorty) Richardson.

A viewing will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021, at the LDS Church on 1850 South 2300 East, Spanish Fork, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. A second viewing will be held on Saturday morning, July 31, 2021, at the LDS Stake Center, 1911 East 1850 South, Spanish Fork, Utah, from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Following the Saturday viewing, the funeral will commence at 10 a.m. also at the stake center. The funeral service will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/Events/spanishforkutahcanyonridgestake

Interment will be held, in the afternoon of July 31st, at Memorial Estates Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah 84123.