1933
John
2011
John Pierson
January 13, 1933 — June 7, 2011
YOUNGSTOWN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 10 a.m. for Mr. John M. "Jack" Pierson, 78, who passed away on June 7, 2011, with his loving family at his side.
He was born Jan. 13, 1933, in Sharon, Pa., the son of John and Elizabeth Flood Pierson, who preceded him in death.
Jack graduated from Ursuline High School and then Youngstown State University, where he played football. He also earned a Master's degree at Kent State University.
He was an enthusiastic teacher and football coach during a career that spanned 53 years at the high school level, mostly in the Mahoning Valley. He became the head coach at North Lima in 1956, and went on to stints at McDonald, Howland, Niles McKinley, Hollywood Hills, Fla., Jackson Milton, and Matthews. His teams won multiple league championships, and he guided Howland to their first state playoff appearance in 1986.
Simultaneously, Jack also had many years of service on the railroad, retiring in 1969.
He was a member of the YSU Football Alumni Association, and was inducted into the Hall of Fames for Ursuline, Howland, and Trumbull County, respectively. He was also inducted into the Curbstone Coaches.
Jack was an avid runner, highlighted by his qualifying for the 1979 Boston Marathon.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Peg" Charles; their 10 children, Cathy of Louisville, Ky., Jack of Canfield, Mike Judy Rutledge of Saline, Mich., Dr. Diane of Ashland, Ky., Jim Kay McGeary of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., Dr. Colonel-retired Jerry Carrie Ague of Frederick, Md., Tom of Pearland, Texas, Sue of Dallas, Dr. Colonel Joe Dr. Beth Kingsley of Canton, N.Y., and Dr. Ed Karen Rochford of Columbiana; and his brother, Tom Barbara of North Lima.
He was extremely proud of each of his 22 grandchildren, Kris, Matt, Emma, Mary Margaret, Joy, Ellen, Sheila, Conor, Dan, Ben, Kimberlee, Molly, Alana, Shane, Josh, Drew, Katie, Keeley, Mollie, Ian, Lily, and Quinn.
He is also remembered by his brothers and sisters-in law, Barbara Charles, Tom and Joyce Nagle, and Javier and Nancy Lopez and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his coaching colleagues, and many close friends.
Friends may call on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the YSU Alumni Football Scholarship Fund University Development Office 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, Ohio 44555 or to Hospice of the Mahoning Valley.
He was born Jan. 13, 1933, in Sharon, Pa., the son of John and Elizabeth Flood Pierson, who preceded him in death.
Jack graduated from Ursuline High School and then Youngstown State University, where he played football. He also earned a Master's degree at Kent State University.
He was an enthusiastic teacher and football coach during a career that spanned 53 years at the high school level, mostly in the Mahoning Valley. He became the head coach at North Lima in 1956, and went on to stints at McDonald, Howland, Niles McKinley, Hollywood Hills, Fla., Jackson Milton, and Matthews. His teams won multiple league championships, and he guided Howland to their first state playoff appearance in 1986.
Simultaneously, Jack also had many years of service on the railroad, retiring in 1969.
He was a member of the YSU Football Alumni Association, and was inducted into the Hall of Fames for Ursuline, Howland, and Trumbull County, respectively. He was also inducted into the Curbstone Coaches.
Jack was an avid runner, highlighted by his qualifying for the 1979 Boston Marathon.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Peg" Charles; their 10 children, Cathy of Louisville, Ky., Jack of Canfield, Mike Judy Rutledge of Saline, Mich., Dr. Diane of Ashland, Ky., Jim Kay McGeary of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., Dr. Colonel-retired Jerry Carrie Ague of Frederick, Md., Tom of Pearland, Texas, Sue of Dallas, Dr. Colonel Joe Dr. Beth Kingsley of Canton, N.Y., and Dr. Ed Karen Rochford of Columbiana; and his brother, Tom Barbara of North Lima.
He was extremely proud of each of his 22 grandchildren, Kris, Matt, Emma, Mary Margaret, Joy, Ellen, Sheila, Conor, Dan, Ben, Kimberlee, Molly, Alana, Shane, Josh, Drew, Katie, Keeley, Mollie, Ian, Lily, and Quinn.
He is also remembered by his brothers and sisters-in law, Barbara Charles, Tom and Joyce Nagle, and Javier and Nancy Lopez and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his coaching colleagues, and many close friends.
Friends may call on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the YSU Alumni Football Scholarship Fund University Development Office 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, Ohio 44555 or to Hospice of the Mahoning Valley.
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