In Memoriam: Thomas Leo Pierick

Thomas Leo Pierick
3/11/1938 – 3/13/2021

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Thomas Leo Pierick announce his passing on March 13, 2021. Tom was born on March 11, 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa to Leo John Pierick and Edith Mildred (Warne) Pierick.

Thomas Leo Pierick

Tom’s childhood was spent in Des Moines, IA where he attended Willard Grade School, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and East High School. While attending East High, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball and now resides in the school’s Hall of Fame.

Following his mid-term graduation from high school in 1956, Tom accepted an athletic scholarship to play football and baseball at Drake University where he studied pre-med and went on to graduate with a degree in pharmacy. During his time at Drake University he participated in the 1958 “Sun Bowl” football game, was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Social Fraternity, Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity and was President of the Class of 1960 College of Pharmacy.

After dating the love of his life for several years, Thomas Leo Pierick and Ruth Ann Collins were married on August 23, 1958. After Tom’s graduation from Drake University College of Pharmacy in 1960, the two packed up their car and chased their dreams of starting a life in California.

They landed in Pomona where Tom began his career with Hamilton Drugs. Soon after, he bought Cave Pharmacy with his friend Jim Stephenson, concentrating on long-term care. This would be the first of many pharmacies that Tom owned and had the privilege of working side by side with his daughter Lynn throughout the years all over Southern California. Tom finished out his 61-year career as a pharmacist on February 8, 2021 at Delta Drug in Lake Elsinore.

In their early days in Pomona, Tom and Ruth Ann quickly established roots in the area and Tom became active in the Pomona Junior Chamber of Commerce for 13 years and the Kiwanis Club of Pomona.

The couple had two children, Craig and Lynn Ann. He was a devoted father participating in the kids’ various activities. The family moved to Alta Loma in 1972 and after the children graduated high school, they moved to Upland.

Tom and Ruth Ann purchased property in Canyon Lake in 1969 because of their love for waterskiing and in 1988 built a house on the water and made Canyon Lake their permanent home for the next 30-plus years. He loved to entertain and share his home, including his famous Scarlette O’Hara’s at the couple’s annual boat parade party.

Tom continued his philanthropy, joining the Canyon Lake Men’s Golf Club and Canyon Lake Lions Club where he was the chair of their annual golf charity tournament for 22 years. He was also a member of Canyon Lake Roadrunners.

Throughout their marriage, travel was a passion for Tom and Ruth Ann. They enjoyed many memorable trips throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico. Their last trip was in 2018 to celebrate 60 years of marriage by taking a road trip up the west coast and throughout Canada.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann Pierick, parents, Leo John Pierick and Edith Mildred Wiley, of Des Moines, IA and brother, Franklin Bernard Pierick of Des Moines, IA.

He is survived by his son Steven Craig Pierick (Shelley Pierick) of Berthoud, CO, daughter Lynn Ann (Pierick) Reaves (Clark Reaves) of Canyon Lake, brother Robert Spencer Pierick of Des Moines, IA, grandchildren Chelsea Ann (Reaves) Kelley (Drake Kelley), Steven Craig Pierick II, Jacob James Pierick (Nicole Moriarty), Austin Thomas Reaves (Ashley Reaves), Shaylee Ann Pierick, step-grandchildren Samantha Crawford, Taylor Hansen (Jace Hansen), Cayley Cheyenne, great-grandchildren Brooke, Kaden, Nash, Scottie Ann, Kash, Jaxson, Teagyn, Annalee and numerous nieces and nephews. His legacy will live on in the many that called him Papa, Grandpa Tom, Dad and Uncle.

A memorial service will be held on April 18, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the Canyon Lake Community Church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital Pasadena, CA, https://donate.lovetotherescue.org.