Cecil Pierson

Cecil Marvin Pierson, born 16 October 1924 in East Grand Rapids passed away on 5 Jan 2019 from complications of dementia.

Cecil is survived by his 4 children, son Cecil A. Pierson and family, Eonal, Meritha and Jibunang, Margaret Meteer and family, Beth Michelle, and Barbara, Rebecca (Bart) Chartier and family, Angela and Byron, Frank (Laura) Pierson and family, sons Dakota, & Drew, Daughters Kira, & Dahlia, brother Cedric (Pat) Pierson of Grand Rapids,and family, and Kay Heald and family of Holland, Mi.

Cecil was preceded in death by his mother Wanetah, brother Keith Pierson, Father Melvin Pierson, when he was 7 years old, son-in-law Ralph Meteer, granddaughter Amanda at birth, and grandson Michael at birth.

Cecil grew up in Grand Rapids across from John Ball Park and Zoo as the eldest sibling in the 30's during the Depression.

When WWII started, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served his country honorably from 1941-1945, serving in the south Pacific aboard an Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Gilbert Island.

After the war Cecil bought a Texaco gas station in Grand Rapids and operated it until he went to work with the C&O railroad in the early 50's as a conductor and brakeman.

Cecil transferred to Traverse City, Mi in 1957, moving his family up north to start a new adventure. While in Traverse City his children grew up with many fond memories of traveling to Mackinaw Island, Sand Dunes, traveling back and forth to Grand Rapids to see relatives on the train., and vacationing in Florida and Alabama. Summers spent on the various lakes, bay, swimming, boating, skiing and campfires..

Cecil and his wife Edith divorced in 1965, went back to Grand Rapids, got remarried in 1968 to Esther, started a business with "Tippy's Bar", home of the world's worst bartender. that was his phrase he told everyone. During this time they had a son, Frank.

He divorced after 10 years in Grand Rapids, then went back to the railroad working for CSX in Baltimore, Md. to finish out his retirement, retiring in the late 80's.

Cecil moved back to Traverse City to be by his daughter and spent his winters in Brownsville, TX.

Visiting his daughter in San Antonio, going to Alabama to visit his cousins Jackie and Ben , and even went on a cruise to the Carribean in the early 90's. Cecil made friends easily when he traveled during retirement, especially in Harlingen Tx, at a retirement community, playing cards and traveling to Mexico with friends in his motor home.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial is planned in late spring around Memorial Day Week-end. Please sign the guest book and share your thoughts and memories with family and friends at www.lifestorytc.com