Sherman Clarence Pierson, Jr
18 Aug 1925 - 09 May 2015
©The Enid News and Eagle
Reprinted with permission
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Elmwood Cemetery in Woodward, Oklahoma.

Family will be present to greet friends at the Family visitation on Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Other viewing hours: Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sherman Clarence Pierson, Jr., 89, of Oklahoma City, OK passed away on May 9, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Sherman C. Pierson, Jr. is a former longtime Vici resident. For five decades he was a Vici business owner and civic leader. From 1949, until his retirement in 1984, Sherman was a co-owner of Pierson Chevrolet Company.

The second of three sons, Sherman Clarence Pierson, Jr. was born in Pampa, TX, on August 18, 1925, to Sherman C. and Mabel (Larason) Pierson. When he was a baby the family moved to Morris, Illinois, where his father managed a department store. In 1929, the failing economy associated with the Great Depression dictated that the Pierson family move back to the family farm near Fargo, OK. In 1935, Sherman Pierson, Sr. purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Vici, OK. Sherman, Sr., Mabel and sons Leo, Sherman, Jr. and James moved to Vici, OK. Sherman Pierson, Jr. grew up in Vici where he attended school and, under the tutelage of Charles C. Shaw, earned the honor of Eagle Scout. In the fall of 1942, Sherman enrolled for his senior year of high school at University High in Norman, OK, and graduated in the spring of 1943. That fall, he entered the University of Oklahoma, becoming a lifelong “Sooner” and avid Sooner sports fan. After one year of study, he was drafted into the United States Army.

Sherman proudly served his country for 18 months in the European Theater of Operations with General Patton's 3rd Army, 736th Field Artillery Battalion, XX Corps. His unit participated in the Battle of the Bulge.

After World War II, Sherman returned to Oklahoma. On February 9, 1946, he married Betty Jeanne Cutler of Woodward, OK. Like many returning World War II Veterans, Sherman put the GI Bill to good use, enrolling at the University of Oklahoma and graduating in 1949, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Business.

After graduation, Sherman, Betty and one-year-old son, Gregory Neal, moved to Vici. Sherman became a partner with his father in the Pierson Chevrolet Company. In 1951, a son Richard Dean was born. Greg and Ric were 12-year graduates of Vici High School. For 49 years Pierson Chevrolet was a fixture on Broadway in Vici.

During his career the economic development of Vici and northwest Oklahoma was a passion of Sherman's. He was both leader and advocate. Sherman served as president of the Vici Chamber of Commerce; he was a 50-year member of the Vici Masonic Lodge #465; a 32nd Degree Mason; and a 50-year member of The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He worked tirelessly with his good friend and fellow World War II veteran, James Andrews to create the Vici Veterans Memorial. Sherman was a member of the University of Oklahoma Alumna Association, a lifetime member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, a member of the U.S. Highway 60 Committee, a member of the Woodward Elks Club, a director of the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Woodward. He was inducted into the Dewey County Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2008.

Sherman and Betty resided in Vici until 2001, when they moved to Woodward. In 2011, the Pierson’s moved from Woodward to Oklahoma City, where they remained until their deaths. Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Leo Pierson and by his wife of sixty six years, Betty Jeanne Cutler Pierson in 2012.

Sherman is survived by one brother, Jim Pierson of Vici, OK, two sons Greg and wife Judy of Greeley, CO, Ric and wife Kathy of Oklahoma City, OK, three grandchildren Jennifer Abbink and husband Darrin of Colorado Springs, CO, Laura Yett and husband Charles of Ft. Collins, CO, Adam Pierson and wife Kassidy of Yukon, OK, seven great-grandchildren: Andrew and Ashley Abbink, Colter, Rachael and Bridger Yett and Daxton and Tinley Pierson, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vici Veteran’s Memorial, in care of Shaw Funeral Home or a charity of your choice

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