Marion Ray Pierce, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend died Feb. 21, 2024, in Tyler, Texas at the age of 93. Known for his infectious sense of humor, Marion’s playful spirit left a mark on the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Marion was born on February 9, 1931 in West Liberty, Iowa, where he was raised by his parents, Floyd Pierce and Myrtle Collison Pierce. While attending school he played football and basketball. He married his high school sweetheart, Esther Branson, who was a baton twirler and drum majorette. They were married for 73 years.
He proudly served as an air traffic controller in the Air Force for 8 years, including deployments to Japan and Korea. After he was discharged, he worked for the FAA as an air traffic controller for 36 years in Des Moines, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri. He eventually became a technician for computerized aviation radar systems. After he retired from the FAA, he worked at the air traffic control training facility in Oklahoma City for 7 years.
Marion and Esther moved to Indianola, Iowa in 1961. He enjoyed gardening, boating, antiquing, reading (especially about Space), and helping his neighbors and friends with their various projects. In 1975 he was the Training Camp Chairman for the Iowa Shriners football games, which raised money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. He and Esther also travelled around the country in a motorhome for 19 years and then settled in an RV park in Pharr, Texas. They moved to Tyler, Texas in 2014 to be closer to family.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Pierce and Myrtle Collison Pierce, of West Liberty, Iowa; two brothers, Fred and wife Hope of West Liberty, Iowa; and Herb and wife Irene of Dubuque, Iowa; Also a grandson, Ray Maass of Sioux City, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife Esther; his daughters Sheila Bakker of Tyler, Texas; and Melia Huston and husband, Bill, of Johnson City, Texas. Also four grandchildren, Christopher Huston of Syracuse, New York; Daniel Huston and wife Rebecca, of Canberra, Australia; Carl Maass and wife Emily of Oakland, Iowa; and Gerritt Bakker and wife Bianca of Round Rock, Texas. Marion has four great grandchildren; Mason Maass, Sawyer Maass, and Eloise Maass of Oakland, Iowa; and Petra Huston of Canberra, Australia.
A memorial service will be held from 2 to 4pm on April 11, at the Meadow Lake senior living apartment complex in Tyler, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, in Marion’s name.