Pete Vires' Obituary
On Friday, August 31, Ernest H. “Pete” Vires, loving husband and father of four, passed away at the age of 71. Pete was born on June 2, 1947 in Finger, Tennessee to Minnie Pearl and Herman Lee Vires. He had one brother, Robert Vires. He graduated from Bethel Springs High School in Selmer, Tennessee. Pete enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1965 and served until November 1971, including a tour in Vietnam. He started his own business in 1976 which thrived for 36 years. Pete married Wanda (Todd) Vires and raised four daughters.Pete had a passion for hunting, fishing, the river, and his friends. He was a Memphis Grizzlies fan from season one and shared that passion with his grandkids. His door was always open, and there was always plenty of sweet tea to go around. He was kind, generous, loving and compassionate. He was smart and humble; a hero, a protector and a provider. He told the best stories and loved to prank. His infectious laughter filled the room. He loved his country. Above all else he loved God and his family. Pete loved big and was loved by so many. He was the best daddy anyone could ask for.Pete was preceded in death by his father, Herman, his mother Minnie Pearl and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, his four daughters, Dana Wanzer (Brad Wanzer), Tabitha Swearingen (Tim Swearingen), Wendy Pitt (Brad Pitt) and Jamie Cardot (Jonny Cardot). He had eleven grandchildren, Haleigh Wanzer, Hannah Wanzer, Nick Wanzer, Noah Wanzer, Matthew Swearingen, Madelyn Swearingen, Manning Swearingen, John Pitt, Collin Cardot, Owen Cardot, and Harper Cardot, his nephew Robert Vires and several other nephews and cousins.Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 2, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Memorial Park in Memphis, TN. The funeral service will be held on Monday, September 3 at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Park in Memphis, TN with a Celebration of Life to follow at The Orchard Fellowship in Collierville, TN. Flowers may be sent to Memorial Park or donations may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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