1937
Thomas
2023
Thomas James Pierry Jr.
August 21, 1937 — December 6, 2023
Thomas James Pierry Jr., of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, passed away at home on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the age of 86. He is survived by his daughter, Shawn, son, Tom, grandchildren, Amber and Daniel, and great grandchild, Aubrey. Thomas was born August 21, 1937 to Thomas Sr. and Elizabeth Pierry in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic, New
Jersey in 1954 where he excelled in basketball, developing a modern jump-shot when most players still used a two-hand set shot. He then attended Purdue University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a History Major. While at Purdue, he met the love of his life, Sandra Holtz, and they were
wed on September 6, 1958. Tom and Sandy both went on to teach at Los Angeles Unified School District at Robert Peary Junior High School. Tom later attended USC law school at night where he obtained his law degree in 1963. He joined the Magana law firm in 1967 and was made partner in 1970. He was a tenacious
advocate for his mostly working-class and longshore clients. In 1983, he obtained the largest jury verdict issued up to that time in Torrance Superior Court in a personal injury case involving a Los Angeles County employee injured in a diving accident. In 1995, Tom and his son tried a case in Federal District Court involving a serious accident resulting in paraplegia and obtained a Judgment of over $10 million. That same year, he argued before the United States Supreme Court in the case of an injured longshoreman. Tom and Sandy enjoyed vacationing in Europe (France in particular) and both loved to cook and eat French cuisine and drink fine wines. Tom became Sandy’s primary caregiver for years after she was diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s until her death in 2015. He was an avid USC football and Boston Red Sox fan. Tom continued reading throughout his life and his knowledge of history, baseball, wine and many other subjects was encyclopedic. Visitation at the chapel at Green Hills Mortuary Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 4:30-8:30 pm.
Jersey in 1954 where he excelled in basketball, developing a modern jump-shot when most players still used a two-hand set shot. He then attended Purdue University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a History Major. While at Purdue, he met the love of his life, Sandra Holtz, and they were
wed on September 6, 1958. Tom and Sandy both went on to teach at Los Angeles Unified School District at Robert Peary Junior High School. Tom later attended USC law school at night where he obtained his law degree in 1963. He joined the Magana law firm in 1967 and was made partner in 1970. He was a tenacious
advocate for his mostly working-class and longshore clients. In 1983, he obtained the largest jury verdict issued up to that time in Torrance Superior Court in a personal injury case involving a Los Angeles County employee injured in a diving accident. In 1995, Tom and his son tried a case in Federal District Court involving a serious accident resulting in paraplegia and obtained a Judgment of over $10 million. That same year, he argued before the United States Supreme Court in the case of an injured longshoreman. Tom and Sandy enjoyed vacationing in Europe (France in particular) and both loved to cook and eat French cuisine and drink fine wines. Tom became Sandy’s primary caregiver for years after she was diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s until her death in 2015. He was an avid USC football and Boston Red Sox fan. Tom continued reading throughout his life and his knowledge of history, baseball, wine and many other subjects was encyclopedic. Visitation at the chapel at Green Hills Mortuary Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 4:30-8:30 pm.
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Tuesday, December 19, 2023
4:30 - 8:30 pm
Green Hills Memorial Chapel
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