Miles Pierce

Former Alaska resident Miles “Jerry” Pierce passed away suddenly surrounded by his wife and immediate family members June 12, 2007, from complications related to a recent surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was laid to rest June 18 at the Mount Olive Cemetery in Alabama, near family members who passed before him.

Born April, 5, 1934, Mr. Pierce was originally from Citronelle, Ala., and married his wife of 56 years, Jimmie Nell Lawler, from Hodges, Ala. He joined the military in 1948 and served honorably for 24 years in the Air Force and Army before retiring in Anchorage, where he worked as a carpenter and builder for more than 35 years.

During his military service, he served in a number of duty stations around the world, including two tours of combat in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was awarded a number of medals, including the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, two Overseas Service Bars, the Senior Parachutist Badge, an Air Medal and two Bronze Stars for valor in combat. He was buried with military honors.

Mr. Pierce and Jimmie recently moved from Alaska to Randle, Wash., a place he loved immediately. He spent his last few months building decks to his new home and making plans for a garage/shop, hanging out drinking coffee in the local café, taking care of his yard, enjoying his cats and making many new, caring friends.

Mr. Pierce was a true patriot, who loved this country. His hero was Nathan Hale, whose famous words, “I regret that I only have one life to serve my country,” was his motto. He served as former post commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9785 in Eagle River, as well as the state commander and the Americanism chairman for the VFW Department of Alaska.

He was well known and loved for his integrity, sense of humor and gentlemanly manner. Mr. Pierce is survived by his wife, Jimmie Nell; sons and their families, Larry, Brenda and Daysha Pierce of Washington state and Cecil, Delia and Michael Pierce of Washington state; grandchildren, Jena Pierce and Michelle Miller; several great-grandchildren of Colorado; and sisters, Jeroline Martin, Betty Shadrack and Bobbi Pierce of Shreveport, La., and Carolyn Walker of Tyler, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Catherine Elizabeth; his second-born son, Donald Ray; sisters, Joyce and Katie; mother, Mamie (Gartman) Pierce; father, Jerry Pierce; and parents-in-law, Akillis Moorman Lawler and Eula (Partain) Lawler. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.