Melvin Leroy Pierce, Sr. passed away on October 5, 2010 at Integris Hospital in OKC. He was born on June 6, 1931 near Aline, OK to Lyman and Ruby Pierce. He was preceded in death by granddaughter Courtney Ann Guest, his parents, brother Clarence Pierce, and sister Virgie Hull. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rebecca (Becky) Pierce; three children: daughters, Marsha Smith and husband Robert of Bourbonnais, IL, Melanie Guest of Arlington, TX, son, Mel Pierce, Jr. and wife Karen of OKC; six special grandchildren: Scott Smith and Stephanie Smith of Bourbonnais, IL, Tiffany Guest of Arlington, TX, Mallory Pierce, Morgan Pierce, and Justin Pierce of OKC; brothers Don Pierce of OKC and Paul Pierce of Eufaula, OK; and a large group of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was raised in Woods Co, OK where his family lived on several different farms. He went to grade school in the Oakdale Community, and high school in Cleo Springs and McLean, TX. At sixteen years of age, he enrolled at Bethany Peniel College, (now Southern Nazarene University) and in 1952 he received his degree in mathematics. In 1954, he received a Masters in Science degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M University. On April 4, 1952, he married Rebecca Walker. They lived in College Station, TX while he attended Texas A&M. In 1954, they moved to Ft. Worth, TX, where he worked for Convair (now Lockheed). In 1961, he moved to Arlington, TX to be the Director of Academic Computing Services at Arlington State College (now University of Texas at Arlington). He was there when the first computer was delivered, wrote the first textbook, and taught the first class in Computer Science. He continued in this position until there were over 50 employees in his department. He retired in 1992. After retirement, he and Becky traveled the US in their motor home. They spent a lot of time traveling with family and friends. They met a lot of people and enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives. Everywhere he lived he was an active member of the Church of the Nazarene. He held many positions: Sunday School teacher, treasurer, and board member among other ministries. He was also active on the West Texas District of the Church of the Nazarene, serving on the District Advisory Board for more than 20 years. He was devoted to his Lord, and was always ready to meet needs, whether in the local church, the city, or around the world. He made two trips to the Philippines to work on the Luzon Bible College. He was ready to take official positions, or to help repair something at the church, or to mow the yard and work in the flower beds. In Arlington, he was a member of Kiwanis and Arlington Charities, serving on the founding board. In 2008, they moved to OKC, and he enjoyed being back with family and friends who lived here. He was a member of Lake Overholser Church of the Nazarene, where he loved to worship. Viewing will be Friday, 9am-9pm, with the family receiving guests from 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, Bethany. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 9, 10:00am at the Overholser Church of the Nazarene with interment in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aline, OK at 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Melvin Pierce scholarship fund at Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.mercer-adams.com