Russell Pierson

Russell Lane Pierson, age 82, of Lamar, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at his residence. Russell was born on January 18, 1932, in Stockton, Cedar Co., Missouri, to John Allen and Mary Jane (Phillips) Pierson. Russell graduated from Lamar High School in 1951. He served in the National Guard from August 20, 1951, to May 13, 1954, and also was deployed to Korea while serving in the United States Army until May 13, 1954. After the military, he began a 32-year career at the Lamar Democrat and also assisted at the Barton County Print Shop. Russell worked for Thorco Manufacturing and retired June 2, 1995 for twelve years. He worked part time on weekends at Jim & Charlie's Market. For 37 and a half years he was our local weather observer reporting to the National Weather Service a branch of NOAA. He retired from the weather service in March of 2010 On August 2, 1958, at the Lamar Christian Church, Russell married Ima Jean Voorhees. She survives. Other survivors include, a son, Lloyd Dale Pierson, (Cathy Stout), of Lamar, and two daughters, Kathy Eileen (Don) Leedy, of Lamar, and Mary Ellen (Gary) Teague, of Owasso, Oklahoma. Six grandchildren, Nicholas Lane (Lezlie) Pierson, of Nevada, Grant Tyler (Brittany) Pierson, of Lorain, Ohio, Kyle Anthony Teague, of Owasso, Oklahoma, and Paige Nicole Pierson, of Sandwich, Illinois. Two great grandchildren, Tanner Holman, of Nevada, and Lily Grace Pierson, of Lorain, Ohio. One surviving brother, Vance (Vivian) Pierson, of Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Orris Allen Pierson, Doral "Donk" Albert Pierson, Roy Herman Pierson, Dale Lloyd Pierson, and one sister, Phyllis Margaret Pierson. Russell always made time for his grandchildren, their friends and his many nieces and nephews and always put everyone above himself. He was famous for fixing grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for his many grandchildren and "step" grandchildren. He attended every school function and baseball game that he could for his family. He loved going to the elementary school to read to his granddaughter's class.