RIP Big Dam Ray

MR. BMJ · Dec 21, 2022

Obituary for Raymond Patrick Pierce | Forest Ridge Funeral Home

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www.forestridge-fh.com

I debated posting this, as he wasn't a member here, but there are a lot of members here who used to post over at AFboard, which is where Ray posted for many years as a Mod with us. So for those who remember him, and for those who love to just lift heavy shit in general, the AF member Big Dam Ray passed away 2 days ago. His name was Ray Pierce, for anybody in the powerlifting circles. He was vertically challenged (haha), and was probably wider than he was tall, but his big heart trumped all those, including his powerlifting numbers. You will not find a more respectful, nicer, and funny guy out there. A true monster in the gym. He did both bodybuilding and powerfliting, but liked and excelled more at PL.

He had years of chronic BP, which led to kidney issues. He may have had an underlying issue, IIRC, but i'd have to confirm that. He received a kidney transplant, and then less than a year later, due to a compromised immune system from taking the anti-rejection meds, he acquired Merkel Cell Carcinoma cancer (Jan 2022), and it took him down very quickly. It utterly sickens me to no end to hear that this nasty POS disease took him down, makes me pissed and sick. I never met him IRL, as is the case with most of us on these forums, but we all shared many laughs with him over at AF, especially on the Mod forum. He may have been the smallest, biggest, and strongest guy I knew/know.

Thanks for the Big A and staff for allowing me to post this, if it stands.

I don't know his best overall lifts, but here is a video of his 1003# squat back at the 2006 APF Texas Cup.

cage99 · Dec 22, 2022

Didn’t know the man, but RIP! Best wishes to his loved ones.

Cage

Mufasa123 · Dec 22, 2022

AF Board was the only place I posted or even visited for years (different random name). Appreciate the post. Very sad to lose one of the members and mods but really anyone in the Iron game or lover of lifting. We all share this passion together. Condolences and prayers to his family and friends.

Durro · Dec 22, 2022

R.I.P. prayers go to him and his family and friends. He will be missed.

juggy38 · Dec 22, 2022

Oh man, BDR was a good guy. He helped me
So much when I was younger. He was one a great guy on AFboard which was full of awesome humans.

His signature was “ just up the dose” if I remember correctly.

RIP brother

juggy38 · Dec 22, 2022

Mufasa123 said:
AF Board was the only place I posted or even visited for years (different random name). Appreciate the post. Very sad to lose one of the members and mods but really anyone in the Iron game or lover of lifting. We all share this passion together. Condolences and prayers to his family and friends.

What was your handle on AFboard?

Mufasa123 · Dec 22, 2022

juggy38 said:
What was your handle on AFboard?

I wish I remembered. It was random like this one. Before password vaults to where I'd have it and the associated email is lost forever as well. I actually joined here at PM because of the quality posts, experienced members and honestly I saw your handle and BMJ's from AF. I originally knew Ulter when he was a mod at EF back when it was a main board late 90s and early 2000s which is how I got to AF (huge wealth of knowledge too and good folks). Wish I remembered the name I'd at least message it to you guys. Not that I was a major contributor.