John Theodore Pierson Jr.

Jack Pierson of Mission Hills, Kansas, age 84, entrepreneur and engineer, died on May 22, 2016. Jack owned and served as Chairman of the Board of Preco, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of high-speed and high-accuracy automated processing systems, industrial solutions and laser technology devices. Jack’s thoughtfulness toward other people, philosophical beliefs, creativity, and strong work ethic shaped his personal and professional life. Jack credited his Uncle Carl as his mentor, from whom he gained a love of the outdoors and a strong work ethic.

His credo was “Create for Others.” He challenged and inspired the people around him at all levels. He was noted for his columns in the annual Preco newsletter, with titles, such as: “The Cat’s Meow Less 30%.”

Jack was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 13, 1931, the grandson of four Swedish immigrants. He achieved the rank of Warrior in Eagle Scouts in the Tribe of the Mic-O-Say, where he was given the tribal name, True Flame. He graduated from Pembroke Country Day School in 1949. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Princeton University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1953. He served in Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon, after graduating from Officer Candidate School in the top 2% of his class. He was the third person in the history of the school to achieve a perfect score on the navigation exam. The admiral came to meet him.

After his naval service, Jack earned his MBA from Harvard University in 1958. Jack and his team challenged themselves by choosing a subject they knew nothing about for their graduate project. Prior to turning the project into the professor, they published it and sold enough copies to finance two years of Harvard Business School with his share of the proceeds.

Jack returned to the Kansas City area to work in the family business, the Vendo Company, then the world’s largest manufacturer of vending machines from 1958 to 1975. He served as President and CEO from 1971 to 1975. In 1976, Jack acquired Preco. As its President, he built Preco from a small manufacturer of tool and die equipment into a modern technology company manufacturing sophisticated industrial and laser technology machinery. He continued to serve as Chairman of Preco and was active in its operation until his death.

Throughout his life, Jack participated in community-spirited and philanthropic activities, including Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Trustee of Midwest Research Institute (MRI); Director of MRI Ventures; Chairman of the International Trade and Exhibition Center (Kansas City); Member of the Advisory Council on Japan-U.S. Economic Relations; Chairman of Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC); Co-Chairman, Foreign Trade Zone of Greater Kansas City; Trustee of Pembroke Country Day and Barstow Schools; and President of The River Club.

Jack is survived by a loving family, including his wife, Susan, his daughters Merrill Nunnally (Robert), Kimberly Coleman (Donald), and Karen Pierson; his grandchildren Hillary Pierson-Eib, Quinn and Bennett Coleman; his beloved sister Beverly Bradley; sister-in-law Laura Pierce; his nieces and nephews Kristi Carmichael and John Carmichael (Dr. Philip Pappas); Catherine Wolfe (John), Haley and Isabella; and cousins Anne Pierson Marquis, Mildred Patterson Grossman (Marc Grossman), Ellen Aisenbrey (John), and Margot Patterson.

His brother Gregory Pierson preceded him in death, as did his parents John and Helen Pierson; uncles and aunts Carl and Esther Pierson, Elmer F. Pierson, Fred and Amrah Pierson; niece Hanna Carmichael Mendus; cousins Marilyn Patterson (Doyle) and Natalie Pierson. He also left behind a host of lifetime friends.

Jack belonged to Village Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer and duck hunter. Jack and Susan took delight in daughters Merrill, Kari and Kim. They both deeply enjoyed spending time at their winter home in Tucson, Arizona. Jack was a firm believer in community spirit, personal kindness, and forthright ethics in business. Memorial services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church on June 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Children’s Mercy Hospital General Fund, the Village Church Endowment Fund at the Village Presbyterian Church, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, or a charity of your choice.