Obituaries

Jack Pierce

Photo of Jack Pierce
Mr. Jack C. "Six Pack" Pierce, age 73 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Saturday, June 5, 2010, at his home. Jack was born December 15, 1936 in Gideon, Mo., the third child and second son of Dick and Vitice Bailey Pierce. He was married on June 5, 1976, in Jefferson City, Mo. to Juanita "Nita" Higgins. Jack graduated from Gideon High School in 1955 and signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played professional baseball in the summer months and attended college at Southeast Missouri State University during the winters from 1955 until 1960. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1960 with a B.S. in Education. He traveled for Wilson Sporting Goods from 1960 until 1965 and officiated both high school and college basketball games. He was employed by the State of Missouri in various positions. He completed work on his Masters in Public Administration in 1992. He retired from the State of Missouri in 1992. In 1993, he became a lobbyist until retirement in 2007. Jack was still lobbying for the Missouri Sheriffs Retirement System and was appointed to the LAGERS board as a citizen trustee in 2008. In 1998, he was awarded the first public pension achievement award from the Missouri Assn. of Public Employees Retirement Systems. An avid golfer, Jack was a member of the Jefferson City Country Club where he had two hole-in-ones. Survivors include: his wife and the love of his life for 34 years, Juanita "Nita" Pierce; three sons, Chuck Pierce and his wife Denise of Jefferson City, Mo., Hank Pierce and his wife Lori of Rogers, Ark., and David Meyer and his wife Le Ann of Jefferson City, Mo.; three daughters, Cyndi Bloomer and her husband Larry of Jefferson City, Mo., Connie Henley and her husband Ken of Jefferson City, Mo., and Dawn Keating of Overland Park, Kan.; one sister, Kaye Cronan and her husband Bob of Malden, Mo.; 12 grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, W.R. Pierce Jr.; one sister, Hattie Ellen Bodine; and one daughter, Becky Jackson on May 16, 2010. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2010, in the Freeman Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com

Published June 8, 2010