Lloyd John Pierson, retired USAF major
Major Lloyd John Pierson, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Smyrna, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, at his home. He was a few weeks shy of his 86th birthday. He was born Jan. 20, 1929, in Kenosha, Wisc., son of the late Fred Heman and Hilda (Lambrecht) Pierson.
Mr. Pierson was raised in Zion, Ill. He graduated from Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash. with a degree in physical education. There, he played baseball, basketball and ran track. Following his graduation, Mr. Pierson proudly served in the U.S. 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 10-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 Post in Smyrna.
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, Nancy Thornburg (Jeffrey) of Rehoboth Beach, Laura Caldwell (Steve) of Rehoboth Beach, Daniel (Gwen) of Townsend, Karen Czerwinski (Frank) of Rehoboth Beach, 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, Wisc., and brothers Wayne Pierson of Zion, and Wesley Pierson of Davenport, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit from 2 to 4 p.m. 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 Ave., Smyrna, DE 19977.
Please visit Mr. Pierson's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
