September 5, 1989 – April 17, 2023
It is with great sadness and grief that we announce the passing of one of our children, Samuel Joseph Pearce, on April 17, 2023. As you can imagine, we’re torn up and have difficulty coming to grips with this. No parent wants to outlive their children. Sammy will be greatly missed and our hearts are hurting right now and always will be in this life. We know that good things will come and we will be reunited when earth life is over. Families are forever.
Sammy was born on Sept. 5, 1989 in Covina, CA. He came into our lives first as a foster son at two months old, and then, through many court appointments, we were finally able to adopt Sam at the age of five. Most of the time, smiles, fun, and laughter came out of his sweet face. Hearts are aching worldwide from those who have been associated with him.
Sam is the fifth of our 11 children and has often been the life of the party! He had an infectious smile and was typically humorous. He was small in stature but mighty in physical strength. He participated several years in cross country and track. Sammy became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Murrieta Valley HS in 2008. He was a hard worker and was awesome in culinary settings. He held several positions over the years as a cook, became a certified chef, and more recently was employed as an executive chef.
Sammy loved his grandparents and missed them often, even years after their passing. He shared a love of his Grandpa Bert’s music taste. He adored his nieces and nephews and our animals over the years. He had a passion for music and played guitar, listened to Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Dean Martin, and the upbeat Mariachi Mexican music, amongst other genres. He enjoyed the out of doors and lived several years in Alaska.
Several notes from friends and family have trickled in and include comments such as:
“So kind and generous. Positive attitude.”
“What joy that boy brought into our lives.”
“He had such an imaginative, deep, beautiful mind and he connected with everyone he met.”
“He was such a goof ball! He told the most amazing and elaborate stories, and left you guessing how much (or any) of it was true.”
“He was a great friend and entertainer to many.”
“I’ll forever miss our ‘Jammin’ sessions’ you loved to jam out any and every chance we got whether we had real instruments or not.”
“He was kind, funny, handsome, and a friend to all.”
“He was so hilarious and so much fun.”
“He always made me laugh and smile.”
“You will be forever missed but never forgotten.”
Samuel is survived by his parents, Tammy and Donal Pearce (Springville, UT), brothers Donny (Munich, Germany), Ian (Murrieta, CA), Sean (Springville, UT), and Brian (Springville, UT), and sisters Sallianne (Provo, UT), Veronica (Spanish Fork, UT), Jessica (Clearfield, UT), Judy (Springville, UT), Suzie (Payson, UT), and Elizabeth (Springville, UT), along with 23 nieces and nephews and extended family members numbering into the hundreds.
Funeral arrangements are now finalized and set for Saturday, April 29, 2023 here in Springville, Utah. There will be a public viewing from 9-10:30am followed by memorial services beginning at 11am.
We welcome one and all for a celebration of Samuel’s life.
Address:
Hobble Creek 6th Ward Building
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1460 East 900 South
SPRINGVILLE, Utah 84663-2905
40.153726, -111.583496
