Gerald T Pierce

Gerald Tenson Pierce, 85, passed away April 2, 2013, after a long illness. He was a life-long Memphian and a member of Wesleyan Hills United Methodist Church. Jerry was the son of Gerald and Pauline Pierce. In high school, he was the President of the student body, President of Young Life and was Lieutenant Colonel in the ROTC. Jerry was also President of Methodist Youth Fellowship at St. Luke's Methodist Church and President of the Memphis Conference. After graduating from Southwestern College, he served his country in the Navy on the U.S.S. Randolph aircraft carrier, where he was the Assistant to the ship's Chaplain. Soon after, he married Gloria McMahan and was happily married until she passed away three years ago. Jerry, or G.T., as he was often called, was well known in the community as one of Memphis' premier Paint Contractors. As his customers could testify, he was meticulous and took great pride in his work. Jerry was an exceptionally kind, friendly and out-going man, always optimistic. He was respected by all who knew him and loved by his family and friends. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Juanita Walls and Virginia White. He is survived by his two children, Jan (Jim) Messer of Memphis and Bob (Linda) Pierce of Hendersonville, NC, and his grandchildren, Stephen Pierce, Brandon Lynch and Courtney (Robert) Hogarth. He also leaves his niece, Denise Walls, nephew, Rick White and one great- grandchild. Visitation will be Saturday, April 6, at noon at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue, with service at 1 p.m. and concluding with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.