Jimmie Allen Pierce, born April 19, 1938, died peacefully in his Springfield home on May 24, 2018, after a long illness. Born in Flat Creek, Missouri, Jimmie loved the Ozarks and lived a life full of love. He was a fixture at the corner of Bennett and Glenstone in Springfield for many, many years at Pierce's Conoco (it was previously Pierce's Standard and Pierce's Amoco).

Cars were Jim's passion from his young days as a typical "bad boy" drag racer. He loved restoring old cars way before they started doing it on television, and he could get a "car" from the middle of a cow field and turn it into a treasure. His 1949 Chrysler, his 1955 Thunderbird, and his 1959 Ford Coupe were some of his favorites. He bought his own business, a full-service gas station and shop, in 1960, and he would have still been in that garage on the morning of May 24th if he had his preference.

Music was another of his passions. For many years, he sang with Springfield's Sho-Me Statemen Barbershop Chorus and several barbershop quartets. Valentine's Day was one of his favorites because he loved to sing to unsuspecting folks. He would worm his way into top secret locations to sing love songs not only for those loved by other people, but, most importantly, for the people he loved. Jim started piano lessons late in life because he'd always wanted to play. In recent years, Jim became an integral part of the music ministry at Eastern Gate Free Will Baptist Church. Even when his health was failing, he would lead the singing, participate in the choir, and fill the church with song.

Jimmie loved fishing, baseball, fast-pitch softball (which he played into his 50s even after two back surgeries). He loved Fellows Lake and spent many hours on the water and on the bank with his brother Eddie and his daughter Jackie. He taught Jackie to love the St. Louis Cardinals and nature.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Pierce, his amazing mother, Susie Carney Pierce Crocker, his daughter Jolene, and his brother Uel Edwin "Eddie" Pierce. He is survived by his daughter, Jacklyn Renae Pierce, who, in spite of being adopted, was just like her dad in so many ways especially in their stubbornness and temper. He is also survived by the great love of his life, Sarah Conner. Although they never married, anyone who met them could see that both of them found great love later in life. Jim was also close to Sarah's entire family and was Papa Jim to Sarah's grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12 P.M. Friday, June 1, 2018 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

Donations to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association are encouraged in lieu of flowers.