K. W. Pierre

Born in New Orleans, the day after Christmas, in 1952, K.W. Pierre was the second child of Hilda Pearl Pierson and Lloyd H. Pierre. He spent his formative years in segregated schools in New Orleans before his mother moved him and his younger sister to Santa Barbara, CA. There, he joined the ROTC and developed his love for motorcycles. After graduating from high school, he briefly attended Santa Maria City College before enlisting in the United States Air Force. His twenty-year career took him to South Korea, West Germany (it was still two countries then) and to less desirable locations like Minot, North Dakota. Like his older brother Lloyd M. Pierre, he spent his career as a military police officer in the K-9 unit training various breeds, and concluded his career at the rank of Master Sergeant.

While stationed at Lackland AFB, he took a second job working in the snack bar of the base's bowling alley. Encouraged by his future mother-in-law, he was introduced to and then dated for eight years the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life. He married Sharon Ann Mitchell-Pierre in 1988. In their thirty-year marriage, they loved and nurtured two kids, two dogs, and a host of family members and friends when they needed them.

Pierre was a man of many hobbies, all of them dwarfed by his love of food and of feeding others. An avid cook, he mastered the grill, made the most amazing omelets, and his gumbo recipe encouraged folks to fly across the country. If you showed up on his door step, he was sure to offer a meal, a beer, and a great conversation. When he wasn't in the kitchen ("with your shoes on"), you might find him playing racquetball, pool, golf, talking smack, or "kicking your ass" in dominoes, spades, bid whist or farkle. He loved music generally and jazz specifically, most likely inspired by his New Orleans roots and recommendations from his brother and father. He was also an exuberant fan of the Saints (and yes, they were robbed of their chance at Super Bowl LIII) as evidenced by his overuse of the fleur-de-lis in his home décor (and his only tattoo). A fierce passion for motorcycle riding, he is a retired member of the San Antonio chapter of the Toros Motorcycle Club having served as their Treasurer from 2002-2009.

Following his military career, Pierre began a second career at Wal-Mart where he worked for twenty-two years and established a crew of loyal friends. He drank too much and smoked too much and probably ate too much salt and sugar but he loved his life and the people in it and they (we) all loved him.

K.W. Pierre died peacefully at home on April 29, 2019 after a long illness, he was 66. Preceded in death by his parents, brother, and niece, Breanna Pierre; he is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Ann Mitchell-Pierre; daughter, Dr. Tania D. Mitchell (T. Aaron Hans); nephew-son, Stephon Anthony Lynch; granddaughter, Ellison Pier Hans; sister, Rev. Marquita Pierre-McAlister (Juan); sister-in-law, Zenata Pierre; and scores of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019

3:00 PM

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

The family requests that, rather than suits or ties, people come dressed as he knew you best. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans via https://www.dav.org/.