Raymond Charles Pierson

Raymond Charles Pierson (1931-2018) Raymond Charles Pierson was born July 11, 1931 in Cortez, Colorado to Jim and Edna Pierson. After a brief illness in Everett WA, he left this life to enter the presence of his Savior on March 15, 2018. Ray lived a life that spanned continents, decades and lifelong friendships. He was a thoughtful, kind, and caring man whose life was spent in service to his Lord, Jesus Christ. He spent his childhood in Colorado on a family-owned bee farm, graduating as valedictorian from Bayfield HS in 1948. From there, Ray attended Colorado State for one year, then transferred to Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. After graduation, he was drafted into the US Army, training in Ft Leonard Wood, MO, then was stationed in South Korea, working with KMAG. After returning to the US in 1955, Ray married Winifred Lehman in Berne, Indiana, whom he had met through her brother, his college roommate. He furthered his education at Columbia Seminary in GA, then finished at Grace Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. In 1958, Ray and Wini accepted God's call for them to go to Korea with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM), where they lived and served in various capacities from 1960-1973. Upon their return from the mission field in 1973, Ray and Wini served in churches in Cissna Park, Illinois and Hastings, Nebraska. In 1976, they moved to what would become their favorite place on earth, the state of Montana, first to work with Montana Institute of the Bible in Lewistown, then pastoring Central Bible Church in Kalispell. They also lived in the Bozeman area for many years. Ray and Wini would have been married 63 years this June. He is survived by Wini, his wife and best friend; and his daughters Raye Pride (Ed), Jenny Poelman (Ken), Patti Clark (Bryan), and sons Eric (Lisa), Bruce (Betha), and Jay (Rachel), as well as his foster daughter Greer Baines, and a very large, loving family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his fourth child and first son, Robert Charles; and a great-granddaughter, Letti Marie. There will be a celebration of Ray's life on June 7, 2018, at Lincoln Berean Church, Lincoln, NE. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Ray's memory to: Christian Friends of Korea 129 Center Avenue Black Mountain, NC 28711 Or Montana Bible College 3625 S. 19th Bozeman MT 59715