Jerry Pierson, 75, died Nov. 20 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born Nov. 23, 1935 in Bean Lake, Mo., he was the son of C.W. and Priscilla (Rupe) Pierson. On April 17, 1993 he married Lois (Smith) Becker in Great Bend. A resident of the Barton County area for 40 years, he was a long time employee of Murray Casing Crews. He was an avid hunter, who loved his family, guns, classic Mopars and gardening. He was also known to be an extreme "do-it-yourselfer".

Mr. Pierson was a veteran of the United States Army. He attended King Memorial United Methodist Church in Great Bend.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Pierson, of the home; two sons, Allen Taylor and wife Linda of Grantsville, Utah and Larry Houk of Ellsworth; three daughters, Terri Glover and husband Brent of Albany, Ore., Shamarie Farthing and husband Chris of Ellsworth, and Christy Wright of Wichita Falls, Texas; nine stepchildren; nine grandchildren; many stepgrandchildren; a great-grandchild; many stepgreat grandchildren; a brother, Richard Pierson of California, Mo.; and two sisters, Norma Barker of Toelle, Utah and Pat Smith of Evening Shade, Ark. He was preceded in death by a nephew, whom Jerry raised as a son, Mike Swanson; and two sisters, Bonnie Brown and Shirley Lamb.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Holmes officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Woodhaven Care Center in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Nov. 22, 2011