Ronald Allyn Pierson

Ronald Allyn Pierson, Sr., left us peacefully surrounded by family, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Ron (as he preferred to be called, but to his wife Mary and childhood friends, he was Ronnie) was born November 24, 1939, in Memphis TN. When Ron was 4 years old, his parents moved the family to Anniston, Alabama, so his father could pursue a job opportunity. More than 60 years after graduating from Anniston High School in 1957, Ron continued to keep up with his high school classmates, attending as many reunions as possible. Ron was accepted as a freshman at Georgia Tech, pledged Chi Phi Fraternity, and planned to study engineering. After one-year, Ron transferred to the University of Alabama, earning a B.S. in Business Administration (1962).
In Fall 1962, Ron was accepted to the United States Navy Officer's Candidate School (OCS). He was commissioned as an Ensign in March 1963, reporting to the Navy Supply School at the University of Georgia that same month. In June 1963, Ron served as a groomsman in a wedding in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he met Mary Coleman, the maid of honor to the bride. Ron and Mary began a long-distance courtship, when Ron, after completing Navy Supply School, began a 7-month deployment to the Mediterranean aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) as the ship's Supply Officer.
Ron was aboard the aircraft carrier in December 1963 when the Bob Hope Show was held on the Shangri-La in Naples, Italy, before 4,500 sailors from the Shangri-La and other units of the Sixth Fleet.
In August 1965, Ron reported for duty at the Charleston (SC) Naval Air Station, and in November 1965, having survived a long-distance courtship, Mary and Ron were married. LTJG Ron Pierson was detached from active duty at the Naval Air Station and he and his bride moved to Doraville, GA. Ron obtained the rank of LT USN-R when serving in the Naval Reserves at the Naval Air Station in Marietta but resigned from the Naval Reserves to attend Georgia State University (night school), achieving an MBA/Finance (1969), while working as an underwriter for Royal Globe Insurance Company.
Ron began a 40-year career in banking (commercial lending), when he accepted a position at First Union National Bank in Charlotte, NC (1969)
He continued his banking career working for American Fletcher (J P Morgan) in Indianapolis, IN. He relocated to metro Atlanta (Roswell) in January 1982 where he worked for several financial institutions (C&S, First Atlanta, Wachovia, Bank of America) before retiring in 2001.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Allyn Arthur Pierson, and mother, Alice Louise (McCarthy) Pierson. Ron is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Charlotte (Coleman) Pierson; his children - Priscilla Louise Pierson Hackstadt (Scott) and Ronald "Allyn" Pierson, Jr. (Sharon); four grandchildren - Emma Hackstadt, Andrew Pierson, Alex Pierson, and Christopher Hackstadt; and his brother, Raymond Arthur Pierson of Mobile, Alabama.
Christ Church of Atlanta will celebrate the life of Ron Pierson on Sunday, June 2, at 1:00 pm, following the regular Sunday Service. Christ Church meets at the Atlanta International School in Buckhead, 2890 N Fulton Dr NE, Atlanta 30305.
In lieu of flowers, if you choose to honor Ron, the family requests donations in Ron's honor be made to "Christ Church of Atlanta Fellowship Hall Building Fund", P O Box 76320, Atlanta GA 30358, or to the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation, 8 Sorrento Dr, Osprey, FL 34229. Phelan McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic condition affecting the 22nd chromosome, that causes a range of developmental and speech disorders. Ron's grandson, Christopher Hackstadt was diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome in 2006.
On-line condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com. Arrangements entrusted to Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092. 770-448-5757.
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