Lloyd John Pierson's Obituary
Major Lloyd John Pierson, age 85, of Rehoboth Beach, DE formerly of Smyrna, DE passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2015 at his home. He was a few weeks shy of his 86th birthday. He was born on January 20, 1929 in Kenosha, WI, son of the late Fred Herman and Hilda (Lambrecht) Pierson.
Mr. Pierson was raised in Zion, IL. He graduated from Whitworth College in Spokane, WA with a degree in Physical Education. There, he played baseball, basketball and ran track. Following his graduation, Mr. Pierson proudly served in the United States Air Force as a pilot during the Vietnam War. After a 20 year career in the Air Force, he would go on to own and operate his own construction company. Mr. Pierson later enjoyed a ten year sales position with Sysco Foods where his territory covered Smyrna to the beach area. He developed many relationships with restaurant owners and staff alike.
Mr. Pierson was an avid tennis player and participated in the Delaware Senior Olympics where he earned a silver medal. He was a huge jokester at heart and a great story teller. He also loved spending time with his family and friends on his pontoon boat. He especially enjoyed time with grandchildren. Mr. Pierson was a member of the American Legion in Smyrna, DE.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marion (Lindsey), his brother, Don Pierson and one infant daughter, Linda. Mr. Pierson is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mariann (Kralovic) Pierson; his six children: Jeanne Marie Morris (David) of Smyrna, DE, Nancy Thornburg (Jeffrey) of Rehoboth Beach, DE, Laura Caldwell (Steve) of Rehoboth Beach, DE, Daniel (Gwen) of Townsend, DE, Karen Czerwinski (Frank) of Rehoboth Beach, DE and Diane Flood (Mike) of Silver Spring, MD; his 15 grandchildren: Jennifer, Cara, Eric, Andrew, Brandon, Ethan, Owen, Grant, Ryan, Marianna, Cailey, Spencer, Aidan, Jake and Sophie. He is also survived by his sister, Jean (Freeman) of Racine, WI, Wayne Pierson of Zion, IL, and Wesley Pierson of Davenport, IA.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 4:00 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958, where friends may visit from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Pierson's memory to Compassionate Care Hospice, 5610 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808 or American Legion, 107 West Glenwood Avenue, Smyrna, DE 19977.
Please sign Mr. Pierson's guestbook located on this site.
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