ARTHUR (SMOKEY) PIERSON, beloved husband of Bertha Mary Pierson, of Lethbridge, Alberta, married 56 years, passed away suddenly at the Chinook Regional Hospital, with his family by his side, on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the age of 78 years. Besides his loving wife, Bertha, Smokey is survived by one sister, Doreen Sherman of Nanaimo, B.C.; Smokey’s two daughters Brenda Mary Pierson (Douglas Beer) and Cheryl Lee Pierson; daughter-in-law Karen Pierson; his grandchildren Breanalee MJ Beer, Kristoffer Maxton Beer, Crystal Lynn (Justin) Smith and their child and great granddaughter Brelyn Leah; Aaron Arthur Pierson (Leanne Smith); and Christine Pierson; Smokey’s 97 year old mother-in-law Josephine Lerohl; sister-in-law Frances (Roy) Kinsey, all of Lethbridge, Alberta, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Smokey was predeceased by his son Brian Arthur Pierson; his parents, Ransom (Dutch) and Mytle Pierson; brothers, Floyd (Marion) Lloyd, Leo (Nellie) Lloyd, Howard (Kathleen) Pierson; sister, Priscilla Lloyd; and father-in-law Christopher Lerohl. Smokey was born in Lethbridge, AB, and schooled to grade 8 at Galbraith. At age 14 he had to go to work. Smokey welded for Niven Bros., Hunt Welding and Horton Steel of Lethbridge. Smokey worked in the #8 mine as a mechanic and welder. In August 1962 Smokey purchased two Miner Buses and operated the bus lines to the Shaughnessey Mine until it closed down in 1965. Smokey then built a shop on 13th Street North in Lethbridge, ‘Smokey’s Husky Service’, selling gas, repairs to vehicles, and welding until 1970. Then he started ‘Lethbridge Kawasaki Ltd’, selling Kawasaki motorcycles, Harleys, ATV’s, Vanguard boats, and Mercury motors, for 30 years. During these years he was one of the founders of the ‘Lethbridge Motorcycle Club’ and was honoured with a Lifetime Membership. He and his friends started the first motorcycle hill climbs by the Nolan Bridge, the first flat track in Lethbridge and founded the first cross-country motorcycle race in Southern Alberta, Table Mountain, in 1967. Sometimes flagging on horseback, he made unique courses that grew to be appreciated by hundreds of enthusiastic competitors. Smokey shared his love of motorcycling with his family and friends. He explored, built trails all over the Eastern slopes for hunting and competitions, and just enjoying and inspiring his family to appreciate the great outdoors. You still can see Smokey’s blazes on his trails today for all to enjoy. For many years, Smokey and his horse Rye, were great competitors in the trailer race at Whoop-Up days. Smokey loved to play hockey and broomball. For years, geese and big game hunting was enjoyed with his brothers, wife, son, daughters, grandchildren and friends, bagging many a trophy. In 2007, he shot his last whitetail deer right in the eye at 200 yards. Smokey was a season ticket holder of the Lethbridge Broncos (starting in 1974) and an original Hurricane’s shareholder. But commercial salmon fishing was Smokey’s most fulfilled accomplishment. In 1981 he bought waterfront property on the Port Alberni Canal, B.C. He changed his Hammond ski boat into an aluminum ‘Commercial A Salmon’ fishing boat for netting and trolling. Bertha, Brian, Cheryl and Ken Emmerson were his best deck hands. Smokey, even in his late years, enjoyed jet skiing with his daughters, Brenda and Cheryl, in the Port Alberni Canal, getting close to whales and sea lions and getting lost in the fog. In his later years, he built his dream house and made a subdivision north of Lethbridge so others could enjoy country living at ‘Deer View Estates’. Smokey was always working in his garage, and when you stopped by for a visit, you’d be greeted with a cold one and would get to hear an interesting, different story each time, about some adventure long passed. There will never be another Smokey, he was a unique person who worked hard, played hard and loved hard. Family and friends will always remember Smokey for if they needed help, Smokey was there. He did it his way and he was always enthusiastic. Thank you for a life-time of being our mentor, teacher, friend and Dad. Someday, we will be together again on that amazing trail you saw. We love you Dad. We will miss you every day. A private family Memorial Service will be held at Cornerstone Funeral Home. In memory of Smokey, Memorial Tributes may be made to A.L.S. Society of Alberta 400, 320-23rd Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 0J2; to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 210D - 12 ‘A’ Street North, Lethbridge, AB, T1H 2J1; or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317-10th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7.