John B. Pierson

Pierson, John Burton Sr., USAF Lt. Col, (retired), passed away Sunday, Jan. 12th, 2014 after a brief illness. John was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 13, 1922 to Wilford C. and Addie M. Pierson. He grew up in Indianapolis, graduated from Arsenal Technical High School. December 1942, he entered the Army and then transferred into the Aviation Cadet Program. 2nd Lt. Pierson graduated from the program in April 1944 as a pilot. He was assigned to the 22nd Bomb Group in the South Pacific, completed 42 combat missions and flew 350 combat hours by the end of the war in 1945. Upon returning to the US, he was separated from military service, joining the active Air Force Reserve with the 434th Troop Carrier Wing in Indianapolis. The day after returning from overseas, John met his wife Ruby (Hancock) in November 1945. They were married Feb. 14, 1946 by John’s Grandmother, Lena Spillman, a Pentecostal minister. While out of active duty, John and his father owned and operated a general auto repair shop, until he was called back to serve his country with rank of Captain in 1951. John and family were stationed in England, Germany, Patrick Air Force Base, in FL, Chanute AFB in IL, Clark Field, Philippines until ending his military service at Eglin Air Force Base, Ft. Walton Beach, FL in June 1968. The Pierson family retired to Maitland, Florida where John, in his civilian career, worked for Haney Chevrolet, Florida Gas Modular Housing Project, Southern Liquid Fertilizer and Douglass Fertilizer in the maintenance and repair field.

John was a member of many Masonic affiliated organizations after joining the Masonry in October, 1946. He was inducted into Scottish Rite while in Germany in 1955, became a Noble Shriner in 1980 and was Potentate of Bahia Shrine in 1997. John attended meetings at Mokanna Masonic Lodge. He had joined National Sojourners in 1955 and participated with Seminole Chapter 373 regularly in the Patriotic Flag Programs. John was also a past President and Hero’s Commander of the organization, served as President of the Bahia Shrine RV Club, Oriental Band, Orlando Shrine Club, Kentucky Colonels Club, Ormazd Grotto and was active with Bahia’s Flying Fezzes Unit. He was very supportive of Kismet Court #86, Ladies Oriental Shrine of N.A, always available to make the coffee for their meetings, ready to visit with the other Nobles, sharing jokes and telling stories while the ladies had their meeting.

John and Ruby joined Asbury United Methodist church in the late 1960’s, with John serving on the board and volunteering his time and talents to maintain the church lighting and other duties when needed.

John is survived by Ruby, his beloved wife of nearly 68 years, their 3 children, sons John Jr. (Patty) and Jeff (Maureen), daughter Deborah Zimmerman (Gary), grandchildren Jason (Tami) & Brian (Amy) Zimmerman, Jon Walker, James Pierson, Jessi Torres (Khermes), great granddaughters Peyton Zimmerman, Jocelyn Torres, great-grandson Jacob Pierson, brother Wilford C. Pierson, Jr (Dixie) of Dade City, FL and sister Ruth Joann Case (Howie) of Bethlehem, PA.

A Masonic Memorial Service will be held January 25, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Mokanna Masonic Lodge #329. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mokanna Masonic Lodge or to The Shriners’ Hospitals for Children.

Arrangements are under the care of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com .