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Pierson, John 82 Feb. 26, 1931 Sept. 09, 2013 Captain John Pierson "Big John", Portland Fire Department, retired, died peacefully at home, Monday, Sept. 9. John was a great man, not only in stature but great in heart and great in reputation. His death creates a great void in the lives of the many people who loved him. John was born Feb. 26, 1931, to Purl Nicholas "Buck" and Coila Marie (Belshee) Pierson in Trout Lake, Wash. He has two sisters, Loraine and Doris. John graduated from The Dalles High School and moved on to Oregon State University and graduated from Portland City College. As a young man, he worked at Buck and John's Texaco in The Dalles, before joining the Navy. Upon being discharged, John worked on The Dalles Dam. He later became a Portland Firefighter where he retired as a captain after 40 years. On Jan. 28, 1995, John married his wife, Patricia Ann, in Salem. John was an active member of the Portland Retired Firefighter, the Elks Lodge, the Eagles Club, Shriners Masonic Lodge, the Portland Rose Society, Skyliners and was an AARP Driving Instructor. He loved ballroom dancing, gardening, bee keeping, walking, bird watching and square dancing. John's memory will be carried on by his wife, Patricia Pierson, of Portland; his sons, Steven, of Altoona, Pa., and Dale, of Portland; his daughter, Melisa (Timothy), of Portland; his stepson, Scott (Carol) Green, of Milton, Fla.; his grandchildren Erin and Carter, and his step-grandchildren, Josh and Julia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Purl Nicholas "Buck" and Coila Marie Pierson; and his granddaughter, Kelli. A family viewing will be held at Family Memorial Mortuary on Sept. 12. The service will be on the following date at Willamette National Cemetery on Sept. 13, at 9 a.m. Donations may be made to Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation Pediatric Neurosurgery: 1121 SW Salmon Street, STE 100, Portland, OR 97205. Please note in the memory of John Pierson.
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John and I meet at engine and truck 3 in 1961. He was absolutely devoted to the Portland Fire Bureau. We spent
many days studying for promotional exams on our days off.
John had a great sense of right and wrong. I am proud to say we were good friends and I will miss him very much.
Jack Becker
September 16, 2013
so very sorry to hear of John's passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, Melisa. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Connie Burton
September 13, 2013
I worked with Big John at a few different stations during his career. John loved to talk about all things and always considered both sides. He loved talking about his kids and the parakeets that he raised. May Lord God bless his soul and give his family peace of mind.
Jim Bieker
September 12, 2013
Family and Friends First. John was the glue that help stick us altogether and he will be sorely missed. Patricia, Loraine and family, Doris, Melisa and family, we share in your loss. May all your good memories remain forever and bring a smile to your face.
Glenn and Sandy Davidson
September 12, 2013
Patricia & Family, I will miss my "mixer partner". Patricia you were always so nice to let John take me into the mixers and, of course, so nice of John to do that. He will be dearly missed. Many Hugs,
Bev Donald
September 12, 2013
Dear Patricia and family. We will miss John very much. We always enjoyed you both when we went out dancing. Blessings, Bill and Susie Anthony
Bill and Susie Anthony
September 12, 2013
Carl & Nina Moore
We will surely miss our good times playing bridge and out of town trips. What great memories.
September 11, 2013
John will be missed so much in the dancing community. He is a wonderful man and so nice to talk to. He and Patricia made a great couple. God bless you John. I'm sure he has a special place for BIG JOHN. We'll all miss you.
Love,
Terri Hildenbrand
September 11, 2013
Us, in the ballroom dance community will certainly miss this wonderful person, BIG JOHN. ! He. was such a.asset to all that knew him. Though, large in stature, yet most gentle in leading his dance partner. We will all miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and love ones. God has a very special place for this wonderful man.
Richard Wong
September 11, 2013
"Big John" was my Captain when I first made Lt. at Engine 15 in 1982. He was also at my MM degree the same year so he was a Brother in more than one way.
I'll miss him. Art Bush
Art Bush
September 11, 2013
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