John E. Pierson

Graveside services for John E. Pierson, 71, Lawrence, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Lawrence Country Club.Mr. Pierson died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka.He was born Dec. 10, 1936, in Lawrence, the son of Elmer and Hattie Davis Pierson. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1954.Mr. Pierson served in the U.S. Army in Okinawa, Japan.He was a longtime businessman and farmer. He built Griffs restaurants nationwide. He owned and operated A-1 Tool and Equipment Rental and Mini Storage for more than 20 years. He was also a Realtor for Stephens Real Estate. In retirement, he restored antique International Harvester tractors and raised livestock in rural Douglas County and Big Springs.Mr. Pierson was a member of the Power of the Past Tractor Club in Ottawa.He married Judy McKinney on Dec. 23, 1978, in Lawrence. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include three daughters, Lynn Burbach, Huntsville, Ala., Leslie Pierson, Seattle, and Jessica Pierson, Lawrence; a son, Dalton, Portage, Mich.; and four grandchildren.The family suggests memorials to the charity of the donor’s choice, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Pierson.