James Ray Pierce

James was born December 9, 1953, in Kingsville, Texas, to Benenna Jo and James Archie Pierce of Bishop, Texas. He was married to his beloved wife, Mary Diane Harris, on May 28,1977. James graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a PhD in Microbiology in 1985.

James, a strong believer in education, a distinguished professor, and a celebrated educator,

retired in December 2019, from a career in academia and research as a Postdoctoral Scholar at

MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Smithville, Texas, as a tenured Microbiology

Professor at Texas A & M Kingsville, and as the Dean of Science and Technology at Tarleton

State University in Stephenville, Texas.

Throughout his life, James loved cooking with his mother, hugging his dogs, planting in his

garden, and hunting with his buddies at his family’s ranch in Brookesmith, Texas.

James is survived by his wife, Diane Harris, his mother Benenna Jo Shelton Pierce, and his

sister Carole Ann Pierce, all of Austin, Texas. He is predeceased by his father, James Archie

Pierce.

The greatest gift you can give us is sharing stories of James’s life with you on the obituary

response page.

Memorial arrangements will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts

to Tarleton State University Foundation, or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals ASPCA, or donate to the charity of your choice.