David Richard Pierson was born on a small farm in Torrance on July 11, 1923, the first of three sons of Daniel and Pearl Pierson. After graduation from Torrance High School in 1941, Dave began his apprenticeship as a machinist and then enlisted in the Army early in 1943. While being stationed in Nebraska he met Joyce Gayle Baker at the county fair and were soon married. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary earlier this year. Dave served the duration of WWII in the Pacific with the Army Air Corp.After the war, Dave and Joy settled in Torrance, raising a family and resumed his career as a machinist. Dave had a lifelong love of aviation and that led him to join the National Guard where he honed his flying skills. Those skills were put to good use when his unit was called up for active duty for Korea in 1950. For the next 16 months he flew 110 missions spotting enemy positions for artillery support. After the Korean War, Dave continued working in machine shops until he opened his own machine shop in 1961. Spacecraft Machine Products manufactured precision parts for local aerospace companies. Dave continued to serve in the National Guard until 1969, his last position being Battalion Aviation Commander in Long Beach, attaining the rank of Major. Dave and Joy sold Spacecraft in 1992, but retirement took an unexpected turn. He partnered with TRW in Arizona to fly chase planes for the Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Project. Dave and Joy have worshiped at Torrance First Baptist Church since they were first married. He loved family gatherings. He established a 40 yearlong tradition at Hume Lake Christian Camp to fish with his sons and grandsons. Dave also volunteered for 38 years with the Rolling Hills Estates City Council, Parks and Activities Dept. to develop and protect riding trails for future generations. He never lost his love of aviation and after 67 years of active flying and over 12, 000 hours in the air, he hung up the keys to his Beechcraft T-34. David Pierson is survived by his wife, Joy, his children, Karen (Jerry) Rakita, Eric (Mary) Pierson, Dan (Terri) Pierson and Lisa Pierson, plus seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and his brother, Paul (Rosemary) Pierson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Pearl along with his brother Stanley. Services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 11am at Torrance First Baptist Church 2118 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501 . In lieu of flowers, donations to Hume Lake Christian Camp would be most appreciated. http://www.humelake.org/support/