Frank Pierson

1923 - 2016

The Honorable Frank Sigurd Pierson
April 22, 1923 – December 31, 2016
Retired Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Frank S. Pierson passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2016 from complications following a stroke.  Born in Hollister, California to parents Floyd and Gladyse Pierson, Frank spent his early years in Turlock working on the family's melon farm.  He attended Turlock Elementary School, and later became an outstanding track star at Turlock High School.   Following the family's move to Martinez, Frank enrolled at the College of Pacific (now UOP) in Stockton where he was a member of Rhizomia.    With the outbreak of WW II, Frank left college and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp., rising to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and serving as a flight instructor in the B-17 bomber program.  Following the end of WW II, Frank returned to the College of Pacific, graduating with a degree in Political Science.  Choosing a career in law as his dedicated profession, he graduated  with a law degree from Southwestern University and returned to the San Joaquin Valley to practice.
Frank began his legal career in January 1951 in private practice with the law firm of Coburn Cook in Turlock, but soon thereafter accepted an offer to join the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office in Modesto as Deputy District Attorney.  Frank was known as a fair but tough prosecutor, with a tireless work ethic. He became known for spending days and nights at the DA's office during the work week, and catching up on his sleep during the weekends.   In November 1954, Frank was elected District Attorney of Stanislaus County and served in that capacity until May of 1961, when he was appointed by then Governor Pat Brown to Judge of the Municipal Court in Modesto.  In 1968, he was elected to the Superior Court of Stanislaus County, and served thereafter on the bench until his retirement, as Presiding Judge, in 1993.  Always faithful to the law and his judicial duties, Frank cultivated a reputation as a fair but demanding judge.  His was an extraordinary term of service to Stanislaus County.  His 32 year tenure on the bench allowed him to preside over more trials than any other judge in California.  Frank often recalled with fondness that he "enjoyed each day going into the office" and felt blessed that he had learned something new each day at work.
Frank's judicial career was also supplemented with frequent speaking engagements to the California legal community and teaching classes at Modesto Junior College in criminal law, evidence and correctional administration.  He was a past member of the California Conference of Judges, the Judicial Ethics Committee and Legislative Committee.
Following his retirement from the bench, Frank remained active in various civic and charitable organizations.  Frank served as President of the Modesto Lions "500" Club, President of the Modesto Shrine Club, and member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Modesto YMCA.  He was also an active member of Modesto Elks Club, American Legion Post #74, Turlock Masonic Lodge # 395 and Scottish Rite.  Frank was a life-long supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, having attended the first National Jamboree in Washington DC in 1937 as a young Scout, and later serving as Yosemite Area District Chairman and President of the Yosemite Area Council.  Frank also served as "Big Sir" of Sons In Retirement Branch # 144 in Modesto and was active for many years in the group Modesto Adventurers Disorganized.  He was a strong supporter of the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
Frank honed his skills as a gifted woodworker, making clocks, bookcases and other fine furniture from his favorite stock of black walnut.  He delighted particularly in making small toy cars in his garage woodshop, which he would donate to local charities for children during the holidays.  Advancing age didn't slow him down.  He was the personification of "do it yourself" and there were precious few things that Frank couldn't fix.  Neighbors recall seeing Frank maintaining his own yard well into his 90's, mowing the lawn, raking leaves, pruning the bushes and chopping wood.  "It's my favorite form of exercise", he would remark to those who suggested he hire a gardener.
Despite a career devoted to the law and community service, Frank's priority was always on the love, support and well being of his family.  They were his pride and joy, and his dedication to them was  boundless.  He was an avid supporter of wife Valerie's bridge and genealogy interests, and his two children's professional and private pursuits.  He particularly enjoyed visiting museums and travelling on vacations with family to various national parks.  Yosemite was among his favorites, having hiked in the Park countless times with his family, and later presiding over the marriages of both his children there.  
Frank was preceded in death by his sister Seola Norris and brother in law Robert Norris of Auburn, California. Frank is survived by Valerie, his wife of 60 years, his daughter Elizabeth Pierson Nelson and son in law Terry Nelson, his son Gregory Pierson and daughter in law Kristine, and sister Sheila Rendell and brother in law Richard Rendell of Crooked River Oregon, numerous cousins and a bountiful group of cherished friends, many of whom remain from his childhood.
A celebration of Frank's life will be held on January 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1528 Oakdale Rd., Modesto, CA 95355.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Frank's memory to the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.  
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