John H. Pierson Jr.

USMC

Autobiography

John Howard. Pierson Jr. was born on May 30, 1939 in Harrah, Oklahoma. John was a walk-on football player at Oklahoma University in 1957 and transferred to Cameron University for a football scholarship in the fall of 1958. He was honored as an All American for the 1959 football season and awarded a scholarship to the University of New Mexico where he was a team co-captain of the 1961 Aviation Bowl Championship team. John earned an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering from Cameron; a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the UNM with a Mathematics Teaching Certification and a Master’s Degree in Education and Psychology from American University of Puerto Rico.

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, John has served in charitable organizations for children and enjoyed a peaceful family life as a husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. After being introduced to, and by the Grace of God, having found sobriety, became a mentor for those seeking the same.

John has faced severe depression, heartbreak, alcoholism, and suicide attempts. While suffering from failed relationships, the love of his life taught him the difference between “loving” and being “in love,” in a forever relationship which lasted only 38 years, when she passed away.