VERNON THOMAS PIERCE

          Lieut. Vernon Thomas Pierce, 50, retired city fireman, died
Saturday night at his home, 1716 Lyon St., of a heart ailment.  He suffered
the first attack in January, 1942.
          After serving the fire department for 22 years, mostly at station
No. 2, E. Fourth and Walnut streets, he retired on pension May 1.  He had
helped fight some of Des Moines biggest fires, including the Kirkwood hotel
disaster.
          Lieutenant Pierce was overcome in the Winnick store basement
fire; suffered a back injury when a high pressure hose threw his about in
the Graber department store fire, and fell through a floor, stopping
himself with his arms, in the Willard school fire.
          He had lived in Des Moines since he was 17.  He was born in
Kansas and was a member of First Church of the Brethren, and of the Home
Masonic lodge.
          Surviving are his wife; two sons, Clarence, in the army in North-Africa, and Roland, a Des Moines policeman, and two daughters, Mrs. William
Reeves and Miss Dorothy Pierce.
          Services are planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hamilton's
Funeral home, with burial in Resthaven park cemetery.

Copyright © 2002, Duane A. Pierce
Last Revised: February 17, 2002
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