Pearce "Rocky" Allen Lane's Obituary
Greenville - Pearce Allen "Rocky" Lane, 87, of Cedar Springs, formerly of Big Rapids, passed away Friday July 27, 2018, in Greenville.
He was born Oct. 9, 1930, on a farm in Big Rapids, the son of Leroy and Ferne (Rogers) Lane. Pearce graduated from Big Rapids High School, and attended MSU on a boxing scholarship.
Rocky was the World Amateur Boxing Champion in 1954, was the All Army Worldwide Boxing Champion in 1955 and 1956, and boxed in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. (He earned the nickname "Rocky" before the movie came out!)
For 25 years, Rocky served his country in the U.S. Army, retiring as Lt. Colonel, and earned many honors. He served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, and was shot down but escaped injury.
Rocky was named an Outstanding Young Man of America in 1967, and was president of Georgia Olympians. He was honored to carry the torch in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Throughout his life, Rocky earned other honors and awards, and could tell you a story about all of them. He will be missed along with those stories and his sense of humor.
Pearce was preceded in death by his first wife Dianne and son Bruce. He is survived by their children Nancy King and Richard Lane, also his second wife Betty and her children, Ronald Helms, Vicki Goss, Richard Helms, Michael Helms, and Karen Corey; his siblings Gordon Lane, Herman McConnell, and Diane Windquist; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by brothers Roger and Kenny Lane.
Memorial services for Rocky will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 30, 2018, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor John Bookshaw officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Big Rapids American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard. Burial will be in Highland View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kindred Hospice Care, 625 Kenmoor SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
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