Samuel M. Pierson, III (Ret. USAF COL), of Columbia, passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the age of 82. Born in Greenville, SC, on January 19, 1936, he was the son of Samuel M. Pierson, Jr. and Mary Stanley Pierson. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1953, The Citadel in 1957 and USC School of Law in 1961. Upon joining the Air Force he was stationed in South Dakota, Spain, Vietnam, Alabama, Turkey, and New Jersey as a Judge Advocate. Upon retiring in 1983 he returned to Columbia to work as Excutive Director of the Bar Foundation until his retirement in 1997. He was a father of three sons, Samuel M. Pierson IV (Melinda), Robert Brett (deceased), Stephen Stanley (Lauri). He is also survived by three grandchildren, Samuel M. Pierson V, Corey and Paige. In 1979 he married Elaine Louise Koch of Montclair, N.J. They were happily married for 39 years. Sam was a member of the Columbia Rotary Club. He was an avid hunter, gardener, and naturalist. A man of reason, patience and great faith despite many years of disability he found great joy and meaning in life with his wife and sons by his side. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 22 at St. John Neuman Church on Polo Road at 10:00.
Posted in: The State
Posted on: 2018-09-21
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=samuel-pierson&pid=190281115