Jon Wesley Pierce

Jon Wesley (Wes) Pierce

Jon Wesley (Wes) Pierce, age 82, was welcomed into heaven on January 1, 2021, after multiple health issues for several years. Wes was born on May 25, 1938, in Monroe, North Carolina, to Willis Joel Pierce, and Myrtle (Polly) Presson Pierce. Wes' original given name was Willis Joel Pierce Jr., which he later changed to Jon Wesley Pierce. He had one younger brother, Julius Larry Pierce.

Wes graduated in 1956 from Unionville High School in Unionville, North Carolina, as Valedictorian of his class. He attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC for his freshman year. That summer, he attended Wingate University. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple major: English, History, and French. During his college years, he was founder of the Young Republican's Club, editor of the University Newspaper, helped found the English Club and French Club, and was president of TKE (Tau Kappa Epsilon) Fraternity. During two of the summers between college, Wes worked at the Green Giant Pea Cannery in Dayton/ Waitsburg, Washington. Wes later attended Arizona State University for two years at night, working on a Master Degree. He also attended Michigan State University, taking Marketing/Salesmanship classes. While at Western Carolina, he tutored two basketball players in English.

After graduating, Wes became a Traveling Rep for TKE until November 1961 when he joined the US Army. He was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC, for his Basic Training and at the Presidio of Monterey in California where he studied and spoke nothing but Russian for seven months. He sang in the Russian Language Choir of the Army. He was then sent to Germany as a Personnel Specialist, where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. After being discharged in 1964, he returned to TKE for another year of traveling in the Western US and ultimately became Director of Marketing and Public Relations in Indianapolis, Indiana, for five years. In Sept.1969, he quit his job and moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he was employed with Mountain Bell as a Marketing Rep, later working in Security with AT&T.

In 1974, Wes started attending Grace Community Church (GCC). Wes was brought up in a Christian home, attended a Baptist Church, and was baptized in a small pond that belonged to a church member. Wes became active at GCC in the choir and was a member of the single's class, where he met Martha, his future wife. They were assigned to be prayer partners, and Wes had asked her to pray for him, as he had volunteered to go to Tehran, Iran with American Bell International Inc. (ABII). In the meantime, Wes & Martha started dating. Wes proposed to Martha by asking her if she would go to Iran with him. They were married on December 23, 1978, but never made it to Iran. When the Shah fell and Khomeini came to power, ABII employees were sent temporarily to Athens, Greece. Wes and Martha were sent there to help evacuate the people from Iran. Upon returning from Greece, Wes was transferred to Denver, Colorado, where he and Martha lived for four years before returning permanently to Arizona. Wes retired from AT&T in 1989 at the age of 51.

In 1995-97, Wes & Martha worked in Hospitality for Educational Opportunities, a Christian travel company. They were stationed in Israel, Greece, and Austria for two months at a time, helping the American travelers. In 1998, Wes and Martha helped found Arizona Community Church (ACC) in Tempe. They founded IN-JOY Seniors at ACC and were directors for eight years. They also started the "Dust Angels," a group of volunteers who clean the sanctuary and music building at ACC once a week, saving the church thousands of dollars. Prior to this, they were instrumental in helping found New Hope Community Church in Tempe and Circle Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wes was a bachelor before he married Martha at age 40. He inherited a family of two grown children, Kim Rinke and Ron Kelsey. He soon became "Papa" to grandchildren Lindsey, Michelle, and Chase and later to great granddaughters Charley and Blakely, who are Lindsey's twins.

Other accomplishments: Wes visited 38 countries, all 50 states, went on three mission trips to Ecuador, led 15 IN-JOY trips out of the country, and sang in several church choirs. He owned six old Packard cars at various times, and in July 1999, Wes drove his 1954 Packard Cavalier to Warren, Ohio, to celebrate the Packard's Centennial. His Packard was awarded a 2nd place medal. He had lunch with President Reagan at the White House in 1984. Wes will always be known for his leadership and fun-loving, adventurous spirit. He loved the Lord, his church, his family, and enjoyed helping others.

Wes is survived by his wife of 42 years, Martha Pierce, step-daughter Kim Kelsey Rinke (Mike), step-son Ron Kelsey (Jan), step-granddaughters Lindsey Rinke Binninger (Bryan), Michelle Rinke, step-grandson Chase Muschong, and step-great granddaughters Blakely and Charley Binninger. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Larry.

The family would like to express gratitude to everyone at Hawthorn Court in Ahwatukee where he had been cared for and loved for the past two years.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Arizona Community Church with lunch after the service. Donations may be given to IN-JOY Seniors at Arizona Community Church, 9325 S. Rural Rd, Tempe, Arizona 85284.