AHOSKIE – Donald LeRoy Viersen, age 96, went to join his maker on August 15, 2015 at the Creekside Care & Rehab of Ahoskie, NC.

Don was born on April 1, 1919, a son of the late Sidney and Lola Fisher Viersen, in McCook, NE. Don moved to San Mateo, California at age 10.  After graduating high school, he attended San Mateo Junior College, transferred to Berkley University, then back to San Mateo, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree.  In 1940, Mr. Viersen went to Los Angeles and worked in an aircraft factory, and in 1942 enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a liaison pilot, serving in many stations in the US and Philippines, and receiving several service medals.  At a USO dance in Raleigh, NC, Don met Dorothy Dukes, and on June 28, 1944 they were married.

After his discharge in 1946, Don and his family moved to Ahoskie where he worked for the NCDOT for 8 years.  Mr. Viersen then became the owner and operator of Ahoskie Building Supply, and for fifty years, serving the community in this business until he retired to care for his wife.

Don was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Ahoskie Rotary Club, and Lion’s Club. He enjoyed playing golf and was a longtime member of Beechwood Country Club, often boasting about his 4 holes in one.  He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, joining in 1946, when he moved to Ahoskie.

In 2011, Mr. Viersen’s son applied to have his father to take a trip called “Flight of Honor”, hosted by the Automobile’s Association, and on April 19, 2011, Mr. Viersen and a group of United States Air Force veterans were taken to Washington, DC to visit the WW II Monument and the United States Air Force Museum.

Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Dukes Viersen, and his son, Donald L. “Lee” Vierson, Jr.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Donna V. Whaley of Virginia Beach, VA; his daughter in law, Becky Viersen of Cary, NC; and his grandson, Paul Viersen of Cary, NC.

A memorial celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2015, at 1:30 pm at the Garrett Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Daniel Glaze officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. A private interment service will be at Ahoskie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Duke University Medical Center, 2200 West Main Street, Suite A 200, Durham, NC, 27705; the Autism Society, 4340 East West Hwy, Suite 350, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, PO Box 649, Ahoskie, NC, 27910; or to a favorite charity of choice.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Julian Taylor, the nurses, CNA’s and staff at Creekside Care & Rehab for the compassionate care given to their father during his stay there.

Garrett Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Vierson family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.