Judson Howard Pierce, Jr.

December 20, 1932 – February 14, 2022

Dr. Judson Howard Pierce Jr., Reno, NV veterinarian, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 14, 2022, following a brief illness and complications with Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Joplin, Missouri, he was the son of Judson Howard Pierce Sr. and Irene Iva Pierce. His family moved to Perry, Oklahoma, where his father Judson Howard Pierce Sr. was Assistant DA, City Attorney, and County Attorney. Judson attended Perry Junior-Senior High School and left high school early, in 1948, to join the Navy and see the world. He was stationed in Hawthorne Nevada as a mineman.

His high school sweetheart, Wanda Jean, “Jeannie” Bamberger, soon joined him, after graduating high school, to be married in Fallon Nevada November 29, 1952 and they Honeymooned in Reno.

Upon leaving the Navy, Judson attended Oklahoma State University, where he was awarded Summa Cum Laude and was top of his graduating class, nationwide. He was also given the honor of a residency at the top veterinary hospital, Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA, followed by an invitation to practice in Victoria, BC.

Dr. Pierce then moved to Reno, NV with his family and purchased the Key animal Hospital on West 2nd Street in 1964 and opened the Reno Animal Hospital. He retired in 2012, at the age of 80. Dr. Pierce also hosted a radio show, Pets and Vets/Pets Corner for over 15 years on KOH on Sunday mornings and volunteered, weekly, at the Reno Gospel Mission. Upon hearing a local veterinarian refer to him as “the poor man’s vet”, he wore that reference as a badge of honor. He believed that all pet owners deserved quality veterinary care at a reasonable price.

Dr. Judson Pierce was preceded in heaven by his grandson Brian Lee Pierce, is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jeannie, his brother Phillip Pierce, his sister Janna Morel, his son, Judson H. Pierce III (Cheryl), his son Jeffery Pierce (Hilda), his son Matthew Pierce, and his daughter Julie Duvall (Duane). He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

There will be a private funeral for the family and a Celebration of Life, to be announced in the future, after his wife, Jeannie, recovers from an illness.