Richard "Max"

Pearce

Richard "Max" Pearce passed away peacefully at the age of 73 on September 5, 2025, in his home and surrounded by family.

Max was born on January 14, 1952 in Sweetwater, Texas, to Ed "Buster" Pearce and Bette Jean Pearce.  He spent his childhood on a farm in Lovington, New Mexico, later moving to Odessa, Texas, where he graduated from Permian High School in 1970 and attended UTPB.

He built a career working in the oilfield, eventually creating his own oilfield construction company, Petroplex Enterprises.  His time growing up on the farm would carry over and set the tone for his future work ethics and his "where there's a will, there's a way" mantra. Max would marry the love of his life, Sheryl Willey on December 31, 1992.  After retirement he put his skilled carpentry and welding talents to work, adding on to his home, building dump trailers, quail pens, fish ponds, log splitters and a tree house for one happy 3 yr. old.  He was an avid collector, acquiring antique guns, coins, western art, Lionel trains and any other historical relic that caught his eye.  He enjoyed tinkering, making something old and rusty, like new again.  And much to his neighbors' surprise, he erected an old wooden working windmill in his backyard and kept a John Deere 1040 parked in his driveway in Abilene, because it made him happy.

Max is survived by his wife, Sheryl Pearce; his sister, Jan Pearce; his niece, Emily Pearce, his sister-in-law, Shelley Clark,  and his nieces Jenna Hovermale, Brandi Dubois and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Dean Pearce and Bette Jean (May) Pearce.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses of Kinder Hearts Hospice of Abilene.  Their compassion and professional attention provided immense comfort.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Roscoe Cemetery with Scott Beard officiating. Interment will follow, directed by McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater. Roscoe Cemetery address 2372 county rd 104 Roscoe, TX

The family requests that any memorial contributions may be made to All Kind Animal Initiative at Allkindabilene.org.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.