Vernon Tyrone (Froggie) Pierce

Life’s Reflections

Vernon Tyrone Pierce was the youngest of the three children born to John Wesley Pierce and Nilene Opal Dewey Pierce on October 25, 1940 in Kansas City, Kansas. Vernon attended Douglass Elementary School, Northeast Junior High School, and Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas where he was a proud graduate of the Class of 1958. While at Sumner, Vernon played football and was an original member of the Vireos Club, a social club for the young men of Sumner High. The Vireos were athletic and won numerous football and basketball games for Sumner. They were also known for their skills on the dance floor.

Vernon attended Langston University in Oklahoma where he majored in business. He also had training in administration at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He further studied at the Nebraska School of Alcoholism Studies and the Community Organization Training Advance Business School. Between his studies at Langston and his other educational pursuits, Vernon served two years in the United State Army.

Vernon was a community-minded individual. During the late sixties and early seventies, Vernon and Ms. Rosie Yates helped establish the block clubs that eventually became known as the Oak Grove Neighborhood Association. Vernon was a champion for the down trodden. For over 35 years he was the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Depth Rehabilitation Alcohol Group, Inc. and the Kansas Multicultural Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center, Inc. of Kansas City, Kansas.

Due to his desire to serve the people within the community, Vernon was affiliated with numerous organizations. He was a member of the Board of Directors and Vice-Chairman of the Uriel Owens Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America; A member of the United Minority Media Association, Inc.; A member of the Ivanhoe Club; and President of the Northeast Optimist Club.  For 58 years, Vernon was the Chairman of the Class of 1958. He along with other faithful members kept the class together with focus on the community and each other. Under his leadership, the class of 58, provided scholarships to graduating seniors at local high schools.

Vernon was a Mason who served at various Masonic Lodges. At Olive Branch #74 (formerly known as Silver City Lodge #48) he was a Worship Master. He also served with the Consistory #19 of the Ancient Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Kansas. Vernon was the Imperial Potentate of The Koran Temple #33 and Deputy of the Oasis in Kansas.

He was a faithful 60-year member of the Second Baptist Church of Argentine where he worked with the youth and sang in the male chorus. He leaves to cherish his memory two sisters, Athelia Smith-Johnson, and Dolores Pierce Elliott; His daughter, Veronica Eloise Johnson-McKenzie, son-in-law Romulus; his granddaughter Ariel Yasmine Jackson; nephews: Frank Smith, Wesley Elliott, Wilburn Smith; nieces: Nilene Smith-Fitzpatrick, Tanya Parker, Andrea Elliott-Snell; a special friend, Dorothy Reed; and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, classmates and friends.

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