Lloyd M. Pierson, September 13, 1921 – May 4, 2015

Lloyd M. Pierson died peacefully at home the morning of May 4, 2015; he was 94.

Lloyd was born September 13, 1921, in Toledo, Ohio, to Lloyd and Leona Pierson. He spent his formative years in Spring Valley, Illinois. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and then with the U.S. Army during World War II. He participated in the invasion and battle of Okinawa. Following the war he finished his education at the University of New Mexico, receiving a Master’s Degree in Archeology. While in New Mexico he also developed a love of the desert Southwest and for Marian Mildred Young that would last for the rest of his life. He married Marian on November 21, 1947.

Lloyd spent the majority of his career with the National Park Service, starting with the service in 1948. He worked as an archaeologist, ranger and finally superintendent at various monuments and parks, including Aztec, Tonto, Montezuma Castle, Chaco Canyon, Arches, Shenandoah Parkway, Desoto and Appomattox. While stationed at Arches he participated in archaeological surveys of Glen Canyon prior to its becoming Lake Powell and also in reconnaissance of what was to be Canyonlands National Park. In 1965, he was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management, where he worked as an archaeologist out of the Denver Federal Center.

Lloyd and Marian had developed a love of Moab when he was stationed at Arches. In 1975, they retired to Moab. Lloyd and Marian spent their retirement doing contract archaeology work, traveling and doing historical research and writing on the Moab area. They loved wintering on the west coast of Mexico.

Marian passed away on September 13, 2010.

Lloyd is survived by his sister Audrey Stryker of Mainville, Ohio; his son Dale (wife: Yvonne) of Draper, Utah; his daughter Janet of Moab, Utah; his granddaughter Cassandra McDougall (husband: Todd) and great grandchildren Jeremy and Kaitlin of Moab, Utah; and his granddaughter Vanessa Pierson and great grandson Gabriel Miller of Sandy, Utah.

At Lloyd’s request, cremation has taken place and services will be private. A public memorial may be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Lloyd’s name to the Museum of Moab at 118 E. Center, Moab UT, 84532.

You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.