Dale Lee Pierce

Dale Lee Pierce was born October 25, 1952 at Fitzsimons Hospital on Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He died July 8, 2026 at the age of 73 after a lengthy illness. Dale is survived by his wife Dee Miller Pierce, his loving cat Onyx, sister Karen Klekner (Dan), nephews and niece Mark Klekner (Nicole), Brian Klekner (Caitlin), Andrea Veches (Jacob) and 6 great-nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his stepmother Beverley Pierce, brother-in-law Brad Miller, various stepsiblings, their spouses and children, as well as many other extended family members and friends. Dale was preceded in death by his parents Loren and Betty Pierce, his son Patrick Pierce.

Dale spent the first few years of his life in Lincoln, Nebraska while his dad finished his college education. The family then moved to Boulder, CO where Dale grew up. Dale attended the Boulder Public Schools where he graduated from Boulder High School in 1971. He continued his education at the University of Colorado (CU) in Boulder, from which he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. While attending college, Dale played his trumpet in several instrumental groups on campus, including in marching band, which enabled him to attend several bowl games. Dale retained a lifelong love of the University of Colorado, especially its football program. And he stayed in touch with his high school friends throughout his life.

It was either during, or shortly after college, that Dale met and married his first wife Meredith Kirkpatrick. Although that marriage did not endure, Dale was indebted to her for their son Patrick. Dale also had a brief second marriage.

Dale spent most of his working life in the financial services industry, first banks and S&Ls, and then finally his true niche – credit unions – where he held positions ranging from lending to branch management, to senior management. He also worked as a sales representative for a credit union service/marketing organization. He was a true credit union ambassador.

It was in his credit union capacity that Dale met his wife Dee at a credit union marketing function in Keystone, Colorado in the midst of his beloved Colorado Rockies. Dale and Dee spent 37 years together, 32 as husband and wife.

Throughout Dale’s life he was involved in the Masonic organizations. As a youth he was in Demolay Boys and served as Master Councilor. He continued with the Masons and there served as Master of the Boulder Lodge. Shriners pulled him in where he was involved in various ways to help children. He was also President of the Boulder Shrine Club at one time and loved participating in parades by driving the fire truck with his dad.

Dale had various passions. He was a long-time ticket holder to CU football but eventually was content to watch from the comfort of home. He shared his love of the Denver Broncos with his sister Karen. Dale had a beautiful Honda Gold Wing motorcycle that he would ride with a group of motorcycle brothers and sisters – the Colorado Mountain Riders. He enjoyed short rides as well as the ones that covered multiple days and even weeks. It was his fervent hope that his 2025 lung transplant would eventually permit him to go back to riding. Alas, it was not to be. Until his illness precluded it, Dale and his wife Dee also loved to go up in the mountains for a hike or in his souped-up Jeep on a 4WD trail. Throughout most of his life Dale enjoyed skiing. In later years, Dale and Dee enjoyed traveling, especially cruises – Alaska in 2023 was his favorite. After he could no longer travel, Dee and Dale spent a lot of time as “groupies”, following their favorite local and even national musicians. Occasionally Dale helped out with Dee’s volunteer work at The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS). In fact, Dale is the person who first found out about TWAS and suggested getting involved there, where Dee is a long-term volunteer. Dale himself had other volunteer stints - Homestead House and A Precious Child. Dale was also generous to his friends, donating his time and often his money to help others better their lives.

Dale, with his always-ready smile and easy-going personality, will be enormously missed by all.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, October 10th, with visitation at 10 a.m., and service at 11 a.m., at Horan & McConaty, 9998 Grant Street, Thornton, CO. The family requests no flowers or plants, as Onyx the cat, will want to eat them. Instead, memorial donations may be made to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO or to the Shriners’ Children’s Hospitals.