Joe Pierson

Carroll Joe Pierson was born April 10, 1929 to J.B. and Lillian (Canuteson) Pierson. He is the great grandson of Ole and Anne Pierson (1854) and Christian and Johanna Canuteson (1858), Norwegian immigrants who settled near and helped to develop the Norse Community and Our Savior's Lutheran Church. He was very proud and knowledgeable of his Norwegian heritage. He had one brother, Jean Lloyd Pierson and his wife Doris.
Joe attended Turkey Creek ISD, which he affectionately referred to as "TCU" (Turkey Creek University) for five years and after "TCU" consolidated, he attended and graduated from Clifton High School in 1946. At age seventeen, he and several classmates joined the United States Marine Corp completing Boot Camp in San Diego. He was assigned to the First Marine Division and served in the occupation of China during World War II in Tienstin, China and then to Guam with the First Brigade where he completed his tour. Discharged in 1948, he joined the Army National Guard originally for three years primarily to get the unit started in Clifton. He wound up staying in The Guard for thirty-two years the last eighteen years serving full time at the Clifton Armory. He also worked at Rocketdyne in McGregor, General Dynamics at Connolly AFB and at Texas Milling in Clifton. He was discharged and retired from the Army National Guard on April 10, 1989 as a First Lieutenant and was awarded the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.
On September 4, 1953, Joe married the love of his life Audrey Amundson. For sixty-one years they were inseparable. They had two children, daughter Kay Owens and husband Ronny of Valley Mills and Clifton, Mike and Alice of Krum, grandchildren Justin Owens and wife Kirsten of Valley Mills, Holly Pierson of Brooklyn, New York and Patrick Pierson of Austin, Allie, Julia and Jeremy Schmaltz of Krum and great grandchildren Layton (3) and Caden (1) Owens of Valley Mills. He and Audrey loved their family and they were proud of each one!
Joe was an avid reader (the newspaper and westerns), an immaculate keeper of records including Norwegian immigration records to Bosque County and a master gardener, especially known for tremendous tomato harvests. Much joy came from sharing the annual crop with family, friends and neighbors. Upon retirement, he and Audrey thoroughly enjoyed traveling including two trips to the homeland of Norway, over twenty-five trips to Colorado where they loved the cool summer temperatures, trout fishing and the slots at Cripple Creek! Those trips often included great friends Joe and Myrna Insall and Jake and Joann Wimberly. Joe loved the great outdoors he and Audrey enjoyed spending time on "the farm" of Audrey's sister Wanda and her husband Ralph Ray.
Joe celebrated his 86th Birthday at Providence Hospital undergoing open heart surgery in hopes of extending an improved quality of life. Knowing the risks of surgery, he faced those risks with a positive attitude and no fear. Although Joe died peacefully on May 1, 2015 of complications from quadruple by-pass surgery, victory prevailed as he now rests with all of the saints who have gone on before him...most importantly the love of his life Audrey!
Role models may be hard to find these days, but Joe stood tall as a role model. He served his country in the armed forces; he served his community as a member of city council and he served his church as a deacon, a trustee and as a treasurer for countless years. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and uncle. Like Audrey, he had a heart for service that extended well beyond his family...especially for those in need. His word was always good and he always faced adversity, even the death of Audrey, with a positive attitude and a faithful resolve.
Our family would like to thank all who cared for Dad at Goodall Witcher, Providence and Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home. A special word of thanks to Dr. Walter Beebe (cornea transplants), Dr. Arvind Neelakantan (glaucoma treatment), Dr. Lundeen (cardiologist), Dr. O'Reilly (general), and Dr. Young (surgeon) and to all the special nurses who all strove to improve Dads quality of life.
Joe and Audrey Pierson were part of this country's "greatest generation". They survived the Great Depression, won World War II and came home to build America, providing great opportunities for the future generations. These words from Matthew 25:21 best express the gratitude they deserve:
"Well done good and faithful servant!" said the master. "You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come and share my happiness!"
A celebration of life worship service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Norse, on Monday, May 4, at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will be held at the Clifton Funeral Home on Sunday, May 3, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Join our family as we honor God and celebrate the life of our Dad. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Our Savior's Lutheran Church where he was a tireless Worker!