John was orphaned at age 8 and lived in several foster homes in Missouri and Kansas before joining the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was stationed in Nome, Alaska in the Air Transport Command and was discharged in 1945. While working for Union Pacific Railroad in Western Kansas he met Thelma Alice Helena in Augusta and they married there in 1946. After the birth of his only child in 1949 they moved to Gas, Kansas, joining his wife’s family in owning and operating the Helena and Pierce Texaco Station and Grocery Store from 1949 until the mid 1960s. In 1966 John moved his family to Houston, Texas to help construct the Blue Ribbon Rice Grain Elevators that were located on Allen Parkway. In 1968 he joined Sears & Roebuck, working in the automotive department until he retired in 1986.
John had numerous interests. He loved to hunt and fish, and was active in the Elks Club Lodge #569 in Iola, Kansas, Reagan Masonic Lodge #1037 in Houston, the American Legion, Scottish Rite, Sons of Hermann Lodge #7, SPJST Lodge #88, Czech Heritage Society of Texas, and the Farm and Ranch Club of Houston.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and beloved wife, Thelma, and is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John Allen and Paula Pierce, grandsons and wives, Shelby and Apple Pierce, and Anson and Pei Yi Lin Pierce, along with numerous other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at Heights Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2010 in Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine Road, Houston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd., Suite 320, Austin, Texas 78759.
Arrangements under the direction of Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas.
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