Royce D. Pierson

Royce D. Pierson

Royce D. Pierson
March 4, 1931 – August 25, 2017
Lake Wales, Florida (Oskaloosa) | Age 86

Royce Dean Pierson, 86, of Lake Wales, Florida, and previously Oskaloosa, went to be with his Lord on Friday, August 25, 2017. Royce was born March 4, 1931 to George and Lucile (Krizer) Pierson in St. Louis, MO. They moved to Iowa in 1940.

Royce attended Prine country school and graduated from Central College.

On July 6, 1952, he married Constance (Connie) Petersen. The couple had three children; Marcia, Lisbeth, and Scott.

Royce served as a surveyor in the Army at Fort Hood, TX from 1954 – 1956. They returned to Iowa where he worked for and eventually managed the family seed business with his brother Shorty. An accomplished instrument flight instructor, he logged over 9,000 hours of private flight time and taught many to enjoy his passion. He flew his plane to Haiti on a mission trip with his brother to build a windmill to provide water. During his farming years the couple also operated Baskin Robbins in Oskaloosa.

Royce was active in the First Presbyterian Churches of Oskaloosa and Haines City. He served on the Oskaloosa school board, as chair of Mahaska County Extension Council and as president of the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce and the International Flying Farmers. They retired to Haines City Florida in 1992 where he served as chair of Sweetwater Investment Corporation. In 2012 the couple moved to Lake Wales, Florida where Royce continued to lead Bible studies and small groups.

Royce is survived by his wife Connie; his three children: Marcia (Steven) Schulz, Lisbeth (Steven) Henslin and Scott (Michelle) Pierson; 10 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Shorty; and one great grandchild.

Services in Oskaloosa are pending. Arrangements are through Bates Funeral Chapel.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Haines City, Florida; 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 29th.

Blessed be his memory.