Published in Naples Daily News, July 12, 1982, Naples, FL, Page 15:
"Co-Pilot Eulogized as 'Model for all'
"MIAMI (AP) - A Perrine pastor has eulogized the co-pilot of the fatal Pan American Flight that crashed outside of New Orleans, saying Donald Pierce was 'an excellent role mode' for all to follow. Family, friends and some 50 Pan Am employees attended a Sunday memorial service for Pierce at the First Baptist Church of Perrine. As the Rev. Tom Watson told the congregation that the co-pilot's 'real hobby was taking care of his family,' Pierce's wife, Lillian, tightly hugged her sobbing 3-year old son. He loved flying, his wife said, but he tried to structure his schedule so he could spend time with his daughter, Donnidra, 9, and son, Devin. He also made a point to attend church as much as possible. Just before Pierce left aboard the fatal Pan American World Airways Flight 759, he place a book of verse atop a nightstand for his wife. It was titled, 'I Love You', she said. the 32-year-old Floridian was one of at least 153 people killed in the second worst air disaster in U. S. history when a Boeing 727 slammed into a suburb of New Orleans, soon after taking off from New Orleans International Airport in a heavy thunderstorm Friday. Before joining National airlines in 1976, Pierce was a captain in the U. S. Air Force. Three years after he joined National, the airline merged with Pan American. Mrs. Pierce found her husband's final message shortly after the crash. It addressed her as 'No. 11 - one grade above a Perfect 10.' 'My love to you," wrote Pierce. Sentiments like those 'were just typical of Don,' Watson said. "
Published in Naples Daily News, July 12, 1982, Naples, FL, Page 15:
"Co-Pilot Eulogized as 'Model for all'
"MIAMI (AP) - A Perrine pastor has eulogized the co-pilot of the fatal Pan American Flight that crashed outside of New Orleans, saying Donald Pierce was 'an excellent role mode' for all to follow. Family, friends and some 50 Pan Am employees attended a Sunday memorial service for Pierce at the First Baptist Church of Perrine. As the Rev. Tom Watson told the congregation that the co-pilot's 'real hobby was taking care of his family,' Pierce's wife, Lillian, tightly hugged her sobbing 3-year old son. He loved flying, his wife said, but he tried to structure his schedule so he could spend time with his daughter, Donnidra, 9, and son, Devin. He also made a point to attend church as much as possible. Just before Pierce left aboard the fatal Pan American World Airways Flight 759, he place a book of verse atop a nightstand for his wife. It was titled, 'I Love You', she said. the 32-year-old Floridian was one of at least 153 people killed in the second worst air disaster in U. S. history when a Boeing 727 slammed into a suburb of New Orleans, soon after taking off from New Orleans International Airport in a heavy thunderstorm Friday. Before joining National airlines in 1976, Pierce was a captain in the U. S. Air Force. Three years after he joined National, the airline merged with Pan American. Mrs. Pierce found her husband's final message shortly after the crash. It addressed her as 'No. 11 - one grade above a Perfect 10.' 'My love to you," wrote Pierce. Sentiments like those 'were just typical of Don,' Watson said. "
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