PIERSON, Jerry

Today's News-Herald, Lake havasu City, Arizona Published Wednesday, December 30, 2009 Jerry Pierson passed away Dec. 24, 2009 in Lake Havasu City while battling cancer at the age of 66. He was born on June 13, 1943, in Norman, Okla. His family moved shortly thereafter to California. Jerry married his best friend Kathy Rasmussen on June 27, 1964, and together made their home in Orange County, Calif. In 2005, they moved to Lake Havasu City. Jerry served his country with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968 during the Vietnam conflict, stationed in Okinawa. He embarked on his law enforcement career in August 1968, when he joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as a Peace Officer, while achieving rank of sergeant in 1988. He was elected to the Board of Directors at the Association of O.C. Deputy Sheriffs in 1980, and elected by the members to president from 1981 to his retirement in 1993. His commitment to his profession and community has been demonstrated through his affiliation with the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations, California Council of Police and Sheriffs, O. C. Alliance of Police and Sheriffs, Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement, California Board of Corrections, California Police Officer Memorial Commission, City of Santa Ana Charter Review Commission. After his retirement from the sheriff’s department in 1993, he waited patiently for his wife, Kathy to retire in 2004 when they both made a dream come true by traveling in their motor home to over 15-plus U.S. States and three Canadian provinces with great memories in places such as Alaska. Jerry loved to tinker around the house, fishing, boating and watching his motor sports on TV. Jerry was a past member of the Elks Lodge of Santa Ana and a current member of Lake Havasu’s Lodge. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Kathy, of Lake Havasu; his son, Jeffrey (Lauren); and two daughters, Kendall and Jillian, from Santa Ana, Calif.; his mother, Martha; and brother, Craig, both of Lake Havasu. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard “Red” Pierson; and his brother, Donald. Services are pending in the New Year in California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Jerry Pierson c/o HOSPICE OF HAVASU, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405-0597. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.