John Pierce

John (Jack) Pierce, age 91, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in DeLand, Florida no doubt hearing from Him these words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant"; During his lifetime on earth Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to 20. He was a loyal friend to many with whom he lived and served in the US and Brazil. He was also a proud Marine Corps Veteran having served on the front line in Korea. Jack was a gifted storyteller who could hold the weight of a tragedy in one hand and a punchline in the other. Born in Galloway Township, NJ, to John Sr. and Mary Emma (Camp) Pierce, Jack grew up in Blackwood Terrace, NJ. It was there he met his high school sweetheart, Barbara Hamilton. Jack saved his lunch money to buy her a promise ring when she was only 14 years old. Their tender affection for each other resulted in 67 years of unconditional love and a mutual commitment to each other and their Savior Jesus Christ. Their commitment lead them to respond to Christ’s command to "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15) and take the gospel message to national and indigenous people in Brazil. Following theological and missionary training the Pierces moved to Brazil in 1962 and began missionary service with New Tribes Mission (now called Ethnos360). Their 44 years of active service included many years in the Amazon Basin living among the Krikati-Timbira people groups. Jack built a rustic home in a Krinkati village and he and Barbara set about developing friendships with the people trying to learn their language and culture. Later on a team was formed and John and Barbara supported the team (which included a linguist and bible translator) by manning a guest house in a town where their co-workers and others could stay while they did supply buying and took care of business and medical needs. Jack would often transport supplies to his co-workers using a Jeep that God had provided for his ministries. After serving the Krinkati people the Mission asked John and Barbara to serve at a mission school in Vianópolis, Goiás, Brazil where they served as dorm parents, cafeteria cooks, and schoolteachers. The missionary kids (MKs) he cared for in the dorms and his art students all knew him as “Uncle Jack”, a master storyteller who loved retelling harrowing events he faced in Korea or in the jungles of Brazil. Some of his stories were really funny; like when he carried nuns across a swollen creek on his back or the time when he had a dangerous nighttime encounter with a hitman. His wit and humor left audiences clamoring for more. A self-taught artist, Jack painted many murals and framed paintings, some of which he give right off the walls of his home to anyone who admired them. Guests who attended John and Barbara’s 50th Wedding Anniversary brought paintings they had been gifted and displayed these, turning the venue into an art gallery. Jack not only taught art at the mission school but gave private lessons to many Brazilians. One of his students became a very successful artist and has opened her own art schools. Jack’s art went beyond painting. He branched out into leather tooling, ceramics, metal, and carved wooden or soapstone sculptures. He even brought art to cooking, baking, and grilling. Invited guests still remember “Aunt Barbara’s” famous meatballs" and "Uncle Jack pizzas and savory churrasco". Jack was a protector and a peacemaker who always had a listening ear for the down- hearted, a warm hug, and a signature fist bump. During his retirement years, many of his coworkers, friends, and former students came to visit him. Their visits brought him great joy. He rejoiced with them in their successes and grieved with them in their sorrows. Jack is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his parents John Sr. and Mary Emma Pierce; and his sisters, Dorothy Ewing and Lorraine Campbell. He is survived by his children: John Pierce Jr. (wife Carol), Dawn Canright, and Rebecca Pierce; 8 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Celebration of Life: A memorial service is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 3 P.M. The service will be in the chapel building of The Homes of Ethnos 360 located at 108 Missions Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771. Memorial Gift: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations by check be made payable to Ethnos360 and sent to Ethnos360, 312 W. First Street, Sanford, Florida 32771. Please include a note indicating that the gift is in memory of John “Jack” Pierce toward the equipment warehouse project at The Homes of Ethnos360. For online giving instructions please click on this link: https://homes.ethnos360.org/give/

John Pierce

April 29, 1934 - March 15, 2026