John Edward Pierce

On November 25, 2019, John Edward Pierce died at his home. Born on March 21, 1945, in Walla Walla, Washington, he was the only child of Baxter B. and Ruth Pierce. The son of an Air Force officer spent early years from Sacramento, CA. to Hillcrest Heights, MD. before settling in Barrington, N.J. In 1963, he entered Virginia Tech where he earned Bachelor and Master’s degrees in history and began his teaching career. Next he served in the U.S. Army as a Master Instructor of nuclear munitions in the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Division of the U.S. Army Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir. A love of the Civil War took him to Penn State to earn a PhD but those studies were interrupted by 3 years as an editor of military history at Presidio Press in San Rafael, CA. Anxious to rejoin his family and return to teaching, John returned to Virginia to teach in the Waynesboro School System. For thirty years, he taught social studies, English and the gifted program. Efforts to engage his students led to recognition as: Waynesboro Teacher of the Year, Conservation Teacher of the Year, Wildlife Teacher of the Year, twice Dawburn Award winner and sponsor of three national American Express Geography competition winners and two national ExploraVision Award winners. Throughout his teaching career and especially after retirement, John relished time with his wife of 40 years. They were nearly inseparable whether on a daily walk at AMC, traveling both at home and abroad or working in the yard. A visit to their home revealed John's other passion, hunting. He was enamored with African safaris and proof of the adage that "if you go to Africa, you will return." John managed to enjoy four trips hunting and touring South Africa. John is survived by his wife, Zane; three daughters, Lisa, Amanda and Rebecca; stepson, Tom; and five grandchildren, Jake, Dixie, Mia, Autumn and Julianna. As he wished, he will be cremated and his ashes buried in Beech Grove. His funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's memory to Beech Grove Christian Church, 1207 Beech Grove Rd., Roseland, VA 22967.