Allen Butler Pierson, Jr.

On Friday, August 2, 2024, God called home His faithful servant Allen Butler Pierson, Jr. Born October 13, 1936 at Touro Hospital in New Orleans to the late Judge Allen Butler Pierson, Sr. and Marguerite Elizabeth Powell Pierson, he was a lifetime resident of Ponchatoula. Allen was a graduate of Ponchatoula High School, Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana State University Law School, the US Army Judge Advocate General School, as well as the US Army War College. He was an Attorney at Law, practicing in civil and criminal disciplines as well as serving as the Ponchatoula City Attorney. A 32 year veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in active, guard, and reserve status; he earned the rank of Colonel. While serving as a JAG officer, he was commander of the 2nd JAG Detachment in New Orleans, and served as a judge on America’s highest military court adjudicating cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice in the U.S Army Court of Military Review. His spiritual and civic service included membership and leadership as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula, the Gideons International, and the Ponchatoula Chapter of Kiwanis International. He served on the Board of Directors of the Ponchatoula Homestead Association, and as its attorney. Allen was a selfless, patient, nurturing patriarch who inspired his family and friends. He pursued and contagiously shared his love of traveling, reading, canoeing, hunting, flying, amateur radio, photography, and boating. Studious in his biblical education, his witness was grounded in the example of his daily life. He found special joy while distributing Gideon bibles to share Christ’s message. He was happy listening to a classical symphony, and ecstatic savoring a filet at Keith Young’s Steak House. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Estelle Snell Pierson; sons, Allen Butler Pierson III (Jeannemarie), and James Powell Pierson (Colleen); sister, Elizabeth Pierson Riggs (Paul); grandchildren, Bradley Allen Pierson, Chase Edward Pierson (Caroline) and Rachel Marie Pierson Gill (Matthew); great grandchildren, Mallory Marie Gill, Lara Marie Gill, Simon Matthew Gill, Joseph Fletcher Pierson, Owen Bradley Gill, and Abigail Rose Marie Pierson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Allen is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Rueben Allen Pierson and Hattie Lou Butler Pierson; maternal grandparents, Joseph John Powell and Laura Elizabeth McDaniel Powell; sisters, Mary Lou Pierson Burris Scott (Dick Burris and Milton Scott), Georgia Pierson Russell (Walter), and Nan Pierson Simmons (Ronald). His family gathered in celebration of life in a small private ceremony on Wednesday. He is remembered as an exemplary Christian gentleman, a devoted and loving husband and dad, and an altruistic patriot. If desired, memorial gifts may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula,