John Howard Pierpont Jr.

John Howard Pierpont, Jr., age 75, died at home on October 21, 2025.
There will be a memorial for his life on November 15, 2025 from 11:00 to 1:00.
Dr. Pierpont was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 14,1950 to Gloria Whisner Pierpont and John Pierpont Sr. He graduated high school in El Paso, Texas and went on to obtain his bachelor's degree at McMurray University in Abilene, Texas. He later studied at SMU in Dallas where he earned a Master's Degree in Religion and Philosophy. He worked as a hospital chaplain in Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving to Topeka, Kansas to attend the pastoral care training program at the Menninger School of Psychiatry. This was followed by receiving a PhD in Social Work at the University of Kansas. He and his family moved to Greenville, North Carolina where he obtained tenure as a professor in the Department of Social Work. He continued being a life long learner. His curiosity went beyond academics. He was a master gardener and often had a bird book in his back pocket. John learned about bonsai and aquariums. He knew his way around a kitchen and loved to cook. Family was a priority. He loved his wife and their two sons. Friendships were also important to him. He had friendships that grew over decades. John had a strong sense of integrity and fairness. He was honest. He had a playful sense of humor. He was a good listener. And, above all, he was kind.
John's surviving family include his wife, Barbara Pierpont and their two sons, Benjamin and David. His two daughters-in-law Jacki Smith and Adrienne Lane were a joy to him. John's three sisters Patty Gailey, Pam Pierpont and Suzanne Yeager survive him.
Visitation will be at Wilkerson's Funeral Home in Greenville, North Carolina from 11:00-1:00 on November 15.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greenville Food Bank.