Klarinet Archive - Posting 000136.txt from 1994/06

From: 00smgeidel@-----.EDU
Subj: Jerry Pierce's funeral
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 09:05:49 -0400

To all friends of Jerry Pierce,

Yesterday, June 27, I attended Jerry Pierce's funeral here in Muncie. The
service was attended by many, many people, most of whom I did not know. I did
recognize many area musicians, but spoke only briefly with one or two of them.
I offered my condolences to Linda and Daniel, their son, and also spoke with
Jerry's mother and Linda's parents. As we paid our final respects to Jerry,
Mozart's Trios for two clarinets and bassoon played softly in the background.
Linda had gotten together some photos of Jerry taken at various times in his
career... Jerry as a young man in high school with his clarinet, Jerry playing
tenor sax, and several others. It really was a nice tribute. The service was
very moving. The pastor told us that yes, Jerry did suffer quite a bit; that
unfortunately was the nature of his ailment. However, he had visited with
Jerry quite a bit towards the end, and told us that Jerry played his clarinet
right up to the end, as much as that was possible. He said, not
surprisingly, that Jerry never lost his sense of humor. And, significantly, he
explained that Jerry felt no bitterness towards his situation, and had accepted
the onset of death with dignity and grace. Hearing those words, I believe that
Jerry accepted his death more easily than all of us who knew him. For all of
us, it seems that Jerry was taken too soon. God rest his soul.

Stan Geidel