House Resolution 3

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. PATRICK LOUIS PIERCE.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Dr. Patrick Louis Pierce, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the City of Long Beach and the State of Mississippi lost a community leader, revered ophthalmologist and their "Trout King" with the passing of Dr. Pierce, who was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Clarence and Vertice Pierce in 1935; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Biloxi High School attended the University of Southern Mississippi before getting his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Medical School at the young age of 22; and WHEREAS, Dr. Pierce traveled to the beautiful country of Panama to complete his internship at Gorgas Hospital in the Canal Zone, but while he was there, he embarked upon more than just his medical career, as he met the love of his life, Martita, and the two began a life together full of adventure and bliss; and

WHEREAS, before settling in the Long Beach community, Dr. Pierce and Mrs. Pierce lived in Turkey, where Dr. Pierce served as a physician for the Medical Air Force, and in New Orleans, where he completed his residency in ophthalmology at Tulane University Medical School; and

WHEREAS, for 30 years, Dr. Pierce saw patients at the Pierce Eye Clinic on Pass Road in Gulfport, and for 30 years, his patients received the utmost care and attention, with a little humor mixed in; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his eye practice, Dr. Pierce also served as the chief of staff at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport and on the board of the Mississippi Health Care Commission, and he also hosted an annual Mass of Anointing of the Sick at his home for St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and enjoyed helping out any local charities he could; and

WHEREAS, a kind, loving and happy man, when Dr. Pierce was not serving the people of his community at his eye clinic, you could find him quail hunting, spending time with friends at the Gulfport Yacht Club, volunteering with the Gulf Coast Carnival Association or fishing for trout on the "Skip Jack II"; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate physician, an admired angler, and a beloved father, grandfather and friend, Dr. Patrick Louis Pierce was the epitome of character, good will and generosity, and through his sincere heart and undeniable energy, he touched the lives of all those who crossed his charming path, and his warm hugs and bright smile will be forever cherished by his family, friends, former patients, church friends and others who knew him and experienced his greatness; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Dr. Pierce, a man held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved survivors: his wonderful wife of 58 years, Martita Pierce; his daughters, Lisa Guyton, Sandra Boddie, Stella Wolf and Vanessa Rodriguez; the sons-in-law that he said made up for having four girls, Jimmy Guyton, George Boddie, David Wolf and Jose Rodriguez; grandchildren, Alex Guyton, Jennifer Ruth Guyton, Nathan Boddie, Cliff Guyton, Sarah Boddie Robbins, Patrick Pierce Boddie, Daniel Wolf, Isabel Wolf, Victoria Wolf, Sebastian Rodriguez, Isaac Rodriguez, Louis Pierce Guyton and Lily Robbins; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Dr. Patrick Louis Pierce, a positive role model and exceptional doctor who always put others before himself and loved his family and friends unconditionally, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Patrick Louis Pierce, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dr. Patrick Louis Pierce and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.