Thomas Henry Pierson

THOMAS HENRY PIERSON October 12, 1948 - February 7, 2019

Thomas Henry Pierson the second son of William and Edith Pierson was born October 12, 1948 in Bakersfield, Ca. Thomas, fondly known as Thom, Tommy and "Big Tom" to most, was raised in Bakersfield and christened at Cain AME Church at a very young age. Thom attended McKinley Elementary , Emerson Jr High and graduated from Bakersfield High School as a proud "Driller". After high school he enlisted in the US Navy from 1967 to 1971 on assignment to the USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875). During his naval career Thom received multiple service medals including The Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Thom often spoke of his travels throughout Vietnam, Japan and Korea during his time served in the US Navy. Thom was proud to have served his country during the Vietnam war. Upon his Honorable Discharge from active duty he joined the Naval Reserves from 1971 to 1973.

Thom was a loving and dedicated son, brother, husband, father, employee and friend. He was known for his strong work ethics as shown and proven by his tenure at Golden Bear (24+ years) and Oildale Energy; EMPOWER Corp. (15+years) until his retirement in 2016.

Thom married Donna Smith in 1979 and unto this union had 2 children; Thomas Jr and Stacy. Sadly, after a brief illness in 1998 Donna passed away and his journey as a single parent began. Following 12 years of being a widower, Thom met and married Lorrie Orozco.

Thom was loved dearly and deeply by everyone and that is the "Absolute TRUTH"! He was never a stranger to those he met. He was a father figure for many of the youth in his neighborhood, giving sound advise to any that listened. He opened his heart and home making sure they had a place to lay their heads and fill their stomaches. His hobbies included cycling, fishing, listening to good music and COOKING. The entire block knew when "Big Tom" was on the grill. He was passionate about every dish he'd create from start to finish. He equally enjoyed his time spent fishing with his "Baby Brother" as he would say (Gary). Whether they would catch fish or just sit for hours without a nibble, Thom was always eager to get to the waters edge, cast a line and spend time with his best friend. I could spend hours listing a lifetime of joys regarding Thom. He would say often, "I love the life I'm living" and it saddens us, as his family, that this portion of his journey has come to an end. Truly, our Beloved Tommy is gone too soon.

Thom fought a valiant war against cancer for over 4 years, 3 of which were longer than expected. Per his request, Thom and Lorrie kept most of his treatment and prognosis private. Thom wanted each moment to be lived to it's fullness. Praying and believing, his faith increasingly placed in the hands of God. Thom passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2019. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved Wife; Lorrie Orozco-Pierson, Son; Thomas Pierson Jr, Daughter; Stacy Pierson, Granddaughters; Mercedes Martin and his "Buddy" Donna Pierson-Bailey. Mother; Edith Bradford, Brothers; William Pierson Jr (Mary), Gary Pierson (Valerie) and a host of loving family members. Thom is preceded in death by his Father; William E. Pierson II and Donna Pierson.

Special thanks to; Dr Ravi Patel and the entire staff at CBCC. Jennie, Richard and Dr John Roefs at Truxtun Radiology (Stockdale Hwy), Dr Jasleen Duggal and Dr Paramvir Rahal for the wonderful care rendered to Thom during his illness. Thank you to Miss Ashley Smith and Mary "Lupe" Orozco for your constant companionship and fervent prayers in the months prior to this Thom's Homegoing. Dr. Nick Garcia, Saul Gonzaga, Ken Garcia and the California Spectrum Services family for allowing me the time to share priceless moments with my Beloved Thom to remain cherished in my heart eternally. Mrs Lorrie Orozco-Pierson Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 5pm, Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles St. Services will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 10am, Cain Memorial AME, 630 California Ave. Military internment to follow at Union Cemetery.

THOMAS HENRY PIERSON
October 12, 1948 - February 7, 2019

Thomas Henry Pierson the second son of William and Edith Pierson was born October 12, 1948 in Bakersfield, Ca. Thomas, fondly known as Thom, Tommy and "Big Tom" to most, was raised in Bakersfield and christened at Cain AME Church at a very young age. Thom attended McKinley Elementary , Emerson Jr High and graduated from Bakersfield High School as a proud "Driller". After high school he enlisted in the US Navy from 1967 to 1971 on assignment to the USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875). During his naval career Thom received multiple service medals including The Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Thom often spoke of his travels throughout Vietnam, Japan and Korea during his time served in the US Navy. Thom was proud to have served his country during the Vietnam war. Upon his Honorable Discharge from active duty he joined the Naval Reserves from 1971 to 1973.

Thom was a loving and dedicated son, brother, husband, father, employee and friend. He was known for his strong work ethics as shown and proven by his tenure at Golden Bear (24+ years) and Oildale Energy; EMPOWER Corp. (15+years) until his retirement in 2016.

Thom married Donna Smith in 1979 and unto this union had 2 children; Thomas Jr and Stacy. Sadly, after a brief illness in 1998 Donna passed away and his journey as a single parent began. Following 12 years of being a widower, Thom met and married Lorrie Orozco.

Thom was loved dearly and deeply by everyone and that is the "Absolute TRUTH"! He was never a stranger to those he met. He was a father figure for many of the youth in his neighborhood, giving sound advise to any that listened. He opened his heart and home making sure they had a place to lay their heads and fill their stomaches. His hobbies included cycling, fishing, listening to good music and COOKING. The entire block knew when "Big Tom" was on the grill. He was passionate about every dish he'd create from start to finish. He equally enjoyed his time spent fishing with his "Baby Brother" as he would say (Gary). Whether they would catch fish or just sit for hours without a nibble, Thom was always eager to get to the waters edge, cast a line and spend time with his best friend. I could spend hours listing a lifetime of joys regarding Thom. He would say often, "I love the life I'm living" and it saddens us, as his family, that this portion of his journey has come to an end. Truly, our Beloved Tommy is gone too soon.

Thom fought a valiant war against cancer for over 4 years, 3 of which were longer than expected. Per his request, Thom and Lorrie kept most of his treatment and prognosis private. Thom wanted each moment to be lived to it's fullness. Praying and believing, his faith increasingly placed in the hands of God. Thom passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2019. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved Wife; Lorrie Orozco-Pierson, Son; Thomas Pierson Jr, Daughter; Stacy Pierson, Granddaughters; Mercedes Martin and his "Buddy" Donna Pierson-Bailey. Mother; Edith Bradford, Brothers; William Pierson Jr (Mary), Gary Pierson (Valerie) and a host of loving family members. Thom is preceded in death by his Father; William E. Pierson II and Donna Pierson.

Special thanks to; Dr Ravi Patel and the entire staff at CBCC. Jennie, Richard and Dr John Roefs at Truxtun Radiology (Stockdale Hwy), Dr Jasleen Duggal and Dr Paramvir Rahal for the wonderful care rendered to Thom during his illness. Thank you to Miss Ashley Smith and Mary "Lupe" Orozco for your constant companionship and fervent prayers in the months prior to this Thom's Homegoing. Dr. Nick Garcia, Saul Gonzaga, Ken Garcia and the California Spectrum Services family for allowing me the time to share priceless moments with my Beloved Thom to remain cherished in my heart eternally. Mrs Lorrie Orozco-Pierson Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 5pm, Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles St. Services will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 10am, Cain Memorial AME, 630 California Ave. Military internment to follow at Union Cemetery.

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