TIMOTHY LABYRON PIERCE

Timothy “Tim” Labyron Pierce, of Belton, Missouri, passed away at home on his 71st birthday, Wednesday, February 25, 2026. He was surrounded by loved ones as he took his last breaths.

Services will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Tim will be laid to rest at Belton Cemetery with military honors following the service.

Tim was born on February 25, 1955 in Panama City, Florida to Rufus King McRae and Christine (Jackson) McRae. He was raised in Raeford, North Carolina and graduated from Hoke County High School in 1973. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he honorably served his country. While in the Air Force, he quickly achieved the rank of NCO through his “outstanding professional skill, initiative, and knowledge.” This paved the way for Tim’s successful career as an air traffic controller and corporate executive with Midwest Air Traffic Control.

In life, Tim was very passionate about weather and aircraft. As a child, he dreamt of flying airplanes, with aspirations of one day becoming a Blue Angels pilot in the Navy. As a young adult, he obtained his commercial pilot’s license and went on to pilot countless loads of skydivers and other domestic flights. Tim could identify every cloud in the sky and was especially enthusiastic during hurricane and tornado seasons.

Tim was also an avid writer. He authored several poems and even published a novel, Thunder In The Dark, which drew upon his love of aviation and meteorology. His descriptions of life’s events were visceral and captivating, and he spent many hours with a pen in hand.

Tim treasured his cars, especially his 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, which he enjoyed showing off at local car shows. He loved seafood and frequented Jumpin’ Catfish, where he devoured crab legs and catfish. He was a fitness enthusiast, and loved basketball and weight lifting. And he was the greatest, loudest Oklahoma Sooners Gymnastics fan, often giving pre-meet speeches to fellow parents and leading the crowd in “Boomer Sooner” chants.

Most importantly, Tim was a beloved husband, devoted father, and loving grandpa (“Papa Tim”). He is described by many in his life as a hero, and his support of his children and grandchildren in their endeavors was unmatched. His sense of humor and charisma will be greatly missed.

Timothy was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus King and Christine McRae; and brother, Julius “Jerry” Pierce.

He is survived by his wife, Jacquie Jackson; children, Xavier Pierce (Diana), Trevor Peery (Kaytlin), Chloe Jackson-Pierce, Alyssa Jackson; stepson Samuel Jackson; grandchildren, Anessa, Eliseo, Mateo, Joaquin, Jayce, Adallie, and Atlas; and siblings, Curtis McRae, Patrice Clark (Thomas), Pamela McRae, and Marie McRae.

A special thank you to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care and Sarah Cannon Cancer Center for the care they provided for Tim. He valiantly fought an 11-year battle with cancer, and would be honored to have memorial donations given to the American Cancer Society online at http://cancer.org. Tim also generously donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and donations can be made online at http://stjude.org.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278