Russell Floyd Pierce

March 4, 1968 - May 11, 2019

Russell Floyd Pierce was born on March 4, 1968 in St. Charles, Missouri and passed away much too early on May 11, 2019 in Bakersfield, California. He was the son of Anita Pierce and grandson of Raymond and Othella Pierce. He moved to Bakersfield in 1979 and attended Foothill High School where he graduated in 1986. Immediately after graduation he joined the United States Navy where he served as a reservist for over 20 years retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. Rusty, as he was known by everyone who knew him and loved him, was a diesel mechanic and loved working on trucks at Golden State Peterbilt and Cummins West. Something he learned to do while he attended Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. While there he had the first of two beautiful children Jacob Steph Pierce and after moving back to Bakersfield, Avery Christine Pierce was born. Rusty's children were his world; he loved to take them camping, boating, mudding and just hanging out with them while cooking BBQ and playing cards. Rusty was preceded in death by his mother Anita Perkins, his grandfather Raymond Pierce, his nephews Michael Brown and Matthew Fernandes. He is survived by his son Jacob Pierce, daughter Avery Pierce with fiancé David Anderson, his honorary son Andrew Pierce-Ward and his fur baby Tessa May, his sister Michelle Ludwig and brother in law Shawn Ludwig, nephews Joshua Brown, Tyler Ludwig, and Bradley Fernandes, and his step-father Guy Perkins. Russ leaves behind many family and friends who will miss him dearly but most importantly Eddie Martin and Jerry Torres who have been his “brothers from another mother” throughout his life.