James Arnold Pierret

James A. "Jim" Pierret, Sr, 84 years young, of Muskogee, OK, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother died on Thursday, August 25, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Jim was born July 13, 1932, in rural Garretson, SD the oldest of 14 children to Paul and Mildred (ne Dubbelde) Pierret. He graduated from high school in Pipestone, MN (1950), and earned bachelor's degrees in chemistry and math from St John's University in Collegeville, MN (1954), and a master's degree in chemistry from Iowa State University, Ames, IA (1956). Jim married Joan Finnegan on June 9, 1956 in Jefferson, IA. A short time later he accepted a position with Fansteel Metals in north Lake County, IL where they made their home for 10 years. After these 10 years, Jim was transferred to Muskogee, OK where he later became plant manager for Fansteel Metals. He retired from Fansteel Metals in 1986, whereupon he started his second career with the Catholic Church. He had already been ordained the rst permanent deacon from Muskogee in 1978. In 1986, Jim was assigned to be administrator of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wagoner, OK for 2 years. He followed this work by becoming the administrator of St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Coweta, OK for 20 years. Jim was active in the Catholic Church and school his entire life. He was a Knight in the Knights of Columbus, including serving as Grand Knight. He volunteered on multiple construction projects for the Catholic Church and school. He was also involved in his children's sporting programs: Knothole Baseball, Paul Young Football, YMCA wrestling, and Muskogee City Tennis Program. He volunteered with the local United Way, including serving on the board of directors. Jim enjoyed growing tomatoes and owers. He competed aggressively at bridge with his wife, family, and dear friends. He was a square dancer and played golf for many years. His favorite activity, however, was spending time with his immediate and extended family. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joan. He is also survived by his six sons and their wives and children: Mike and Betty (Katie and Scott Allen, Tracy); Chuck and Carol Muskin (Jess, Daniel, Leah Muskin-Pierret); Steve and Pat (Kimberly and Brian Hussey, Geoffrey and Lizzie, Ann); Jim Jr and Kathy Kramer (Brandon, Kurtis); Peter and Maureen (Mary, Patrick, Timothy, Clare); Brian and Christine (Caroline, Olivia). In addition, Jim is survived by his siblings: Bob and Jeannette; Geraldine and Ralph Halbur; Jerome and Louise; Paul and Marge; Richard and Dorothy; John and Nancy; Carl and Joyce; Shirley and Harold Miller; Susan and Greg Tobias; Jeanette and Charles Casat; Patricia and Page Schaefer; Joe and Monica; and brother-in-law Marvin Halbur. He is also survived by multiple nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by in-laws: Jean and Joe DeBoest (and their family); Mary Ann Finnegan. Lastly, Jim is survived by two special families: John Cody and Linda Muskin (Aaron, Yael) and Chuck and Ruby Fraser (Josie, Virginia and their families) He is preceded in death by his parents and his younger sister Mary Ann Halbur (Marvin) and his sister-in-law, Rita Finnegan. Funeral Services will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Muskogee, OK on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 10 am. Rosary prayer will also be at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Friday evening, September 2, 2016, at 7 pm. Visitation at Foster-Petering Funeral Home will be on Thursday and Friday. Interment will be at Greenhill Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.foster-petering.com. In lieu of owers, memorials may be sent in Jim's name to the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's at www.davisphinneyfoundation.org Alternatively, memorials may be sent to the scholarship fund Jim established at St. John's University, the James and Joan Pierret Scholarship, at PO Box 7222, Collegeville, MN 56321.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Arnold Pierret, please visit our floral store.