I remember that Calvin was always a missionary. He would not discuss religion during school, but the kids and teachers knew he was Mormon. He would keep pamphlets about the church in one of his drawers and if the kids had questions, he would tell them to come after school and he would share the gospel with them. Many students and fellow teachers came to his memorial in Calif and learned more of the Plan of Salvation. He always wore his religion on his sleeve.
I am so grateful to have happened on this blog. I have been looking for Calvin for many years...now I know why I couldn't find him. Calvin and I were in the same ward at BYU back in 1981. In fact, we lived on the same floor in R Hall of Deseret Towers. At this time I was 20 years old and was struggling with my decision of whether or not to serve a mission. I was heavily leaning toward "no" and thought I had pretty well made up my mind. Calvin and I used to stay up late at night just talking about life, etc. all the time. However, when I told him about my feelings about serving a mission, our conversations turned quite serious and became very spiritual. More than once, Calvin bore strong testimony to me of all the things I needed to hear. We ended up in tears on several occasions and I grew to admire Calvin tremendously. It is solely because Calvin took time to take me under his wing and bear powerful testimony to me that I did change my mind, made the right choice, and went on to serve a successful mission. That mission changed my life for the good, and I am the man I am today because of that mission. We're it not for Calvin, I would not have served and who knows what I would have become. I have been looking for Calvin since 1984 to thank him for what he did for me. I am quite saddened to learn of his passing. Calvin W. Pierce has been, and will always continue to be one of the greatest and most influential people in my life. I truly hope someone will see this that I can contact and talk more about this wonderful man with. Steven Shinn, sjeshinn@hotmail.com
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