Charles “Chick” Curry Pierce, Jr. ‘53
October 14, 1934 - July 8, 2020

Former Tau Man of the Year Charles “Chick” Curry Pierce, Jr., passed away July 8 at age 85. 

 Chick came to the University of Texas in 1952 after graduating from Highland Park High School in Dallas. As a Kappa Sig active, he managed the intramural teams, leading his Tau brothers to several championships, and was chosen for the Mickey O’Connor Most Outstanding Member Award. He earned a BBA from UT and a master’s degree from Wharton Investment Banking School. Years later, as an alum, he was honored as Tau Man of the Year in 1998.

 "I knew Chick Pierce long before I was a Kappa Sig, as he lived just two doors down from our home in Highland Park and was a good friend to my father," said Mike Sharpe '79.

"Chick was a man of stature in the Dallas business community, a faithful leader in the Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation as its president, and a devoted father to his two daughters," Sharpe added. "He was recognized as Tau Man of the Year for his service to Tau and his many distinguished accomplishments in business, but what I remember most is the start he gave to several of my contemporaries when they graduated from UT and began their careers in the securities industry. I am proud to have called Chick my friend for many years after my dad passed away. Unfortunately, we've lost a truly good one,"

Chick began his career at Rauscher Pierce & Company. The small investment firm ultimately became the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the 12th largest investment firm in the U.S. When he retired in 2001, Chick had the honor of ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in recognition of his 42 years in the industry. He served as chair of the Texas Stock and Bond Dealers and Securities Industry Association, South Central District and was inducted into Kappa Beta Phi, securities industry honorary. 

An enthusiastic civic leader, he served as board president of the Dallas Historical Society and board chair of the Easter Seals Foundation. He was a mentor for SMU’s Cox School of Business students, served as a board member of the Dallas Country Club, and on the administrative board of Highland Park United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Jane, two grown daughters, and four grandchildren. 
Perry Michael “Mike” Wells ’56
October 4, 1935 - July 19, 2020

Perry Michael “Mike” Wells of Houston passed away July 19 at 84 years of age.

A fourth-generation Texan born and raised in Houston, Mike came to the University of Texas in the mid-50s on a football scholarship, playing under Coach Darrell K. Royal, who awarded him the D.X. Bible Award in 1958. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting in 1959, he returned to Houston and began a long and successful career in banking. 

“Mike loved his Kappa Sig family,” said Mac Thompson ’54. “He was one of our special guys from the 50s era who went on to accomplish outstanding things, and never forgot what it meant to be a Kappa Sig.”

An active community leader, Mike served on the development board of the UT Health Science Center at Houston, and as a trustee of KHCB Radio, Houston Hospice, Brookwood Community and the George Foundation. He served in numerous leadership roles at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, becoming its first full-time president in 2001.

An avid and talented cutting horse rider, he placed in the top 10 at the NCHA World Cutting Horse Finals several times and was later inducted into the NCHA Member Hall of Fame. In 1983 he became the CEO of Super Syndicate, LTD, a syndication that underwrote the largest cutting horse purse in the sport’s history. 

Mike is survived by his wife, Marilyn, five grown children, 15 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.