The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service has a rich and storied history dating back to the turn of the century.
The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service has a rich and storied history dating back to the turn of the century. One of the earliest schools of embalming in the United States, particularly in the South and Southwest, was founded in Dallas, Texas, initially known as the Barnes School of Anatomy. Founded by Dr. Carl Barnes in 1900, it later evolved into the Dallas School of Embalming under the direction of Professor Hood F. Smith and Professor Will Dwyer.
In 1945, the Dallas School of Embalming was succeeded by the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, established by W.H. Pierce and L.G. Frederick. Over the years, the institute underwent significant developments and expansions, including a merger in 1954 with the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tennessee. This merger led to the creation of a new entity known as Dallas Institute – Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science.
Upon the passing of Professor Dwyer in 1945, the funeral service profession’s representatives discerned the necessity of maintaining such a vital educational institution in the region. W.H. Pierce and L.G. Frederick, acknowledging this need, assumed the responsibility and formed a partnership, establishing the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Mr. Frederick assumed the role of full-time director and administrator of the college, ensuring the continuity of its mission and service to the community.
On April 1, 1963, the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science underwent a significant transformation, transitioning into a non-profit corporation in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. This change reflected its commitment to advancing mortuary education and related fields. The newly formed corporation aimed to engage in various activities aimed at promoting and enhancing mortuary education, with a primary focus on educational skills, scientific research, and the dissemination of research findings.
One of its key objectives was to operate a school dedicated to teaching the business and profession of funeral service. Additionally, the institute sought to provide educational instruction across a broad spectrum of subjects, encompassing the arts, sciences, and other relevant areas. These instructional endeavors were guided by recommendations from the Board of Trustees and accreditation agencies affiliated with the funeral profession, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices.
In 1969, the Dallas Institute received an invitation to establish a satellite branch in Atlanta, Georgia. Given the considerable number of graduates from Gupton-Jones College during its tenure in Nashville, the Board of Trustees opted to resurrect this renowned name for the new Atlanta branch. Consequently, the Dallas Institute reverted to its original name, Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, before eventually transitioning to its current designation, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service.
In 1972, the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville, Kentucky, integrated into the organization, followed by the addition of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, originally situated in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1978. Concurrently, the non-profit corporation underwent a name change from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science to Pierce Mortuary Colleges, Inc. Each satellite school within the organization adopted its distinct identity.
As a result, the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service became one of several colleges under the umbrella of Pierce Mortuary Colleges, Inc. While each institution operated independently, they were legally affiliated with the overarching non-profit corporation.
Recognizing the need for modern facilities, the institute relocated to a larger campus on South Buckner Boulevard in Dallas in September 1983. Subsequent renovations and additions in 1995 further enhanced its state-of-the-art facilities.
With over 10,000 alumni who have excelled as funeral directors and embalmers, the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service continues to uphold its tradition of excellence and remains a cornerstone in mortuary education.
The original Board of Trustees consisted of W. H. Pierce as Chair, along with members L. G. Frederick, Paul Bollman, Robert Kite, and Floyd Owens. Mr. Frederick assumed the role of college president, while Robert Kite served as the dean. Following Mr. Frederick’s retirement in 1963, Mr. Kite assumed the presidency, holding the position until his retirement in 1992. Subsequently, James M. Shoemake succeeded Mr. Kite as president.
In 2018, James M. Shoemake retired as president after leading the Dallas Institute for twenty-six years. During his tenure, the institution witnessed notable enhancements, including a substantial rise in retention and graduation rates, strengthening its reputation. Shoemake implemented crucial additions to its academic programs and spearheaded the introduction of a robust online, distance-funeral service education program.
His leadership was characterized by ambitious standards, integrity, and continuous improvement, leaving an indelible mark on the college’s culture that will endure for years to come.
Wayne Cavender, his successor, assumed the presidency in May 2018. Under his leadership, the institution experienced exponential growth in student enrollments in the distance learning program. In 2022, Mr. Cavender transitioned to a new role within the Pierce Mortuary Colleges organization, serving as the Senior Director of Accreditation and Alumni Relations for the Dallas Institute.
During the interim period, Mr. Dominick DeLorenzo took on the role of president until Joseph Finocchiaro assumed the presidency in August 2023.
“Lots of friends and plenty of luck and the good fortune of being born in America. That is enough career for anyone.”
– W.H. “Bill” Pierce
This is how William Harold Pierce summed up the highlights of his very interesting career. This is typical Pierconian. He led a very busy life exhibiting boundless energy and taking plenty of time to serve not only his beloved Oak Cliff, but metropolitan Dallas as well. He was known throughout Dallas as an outstanding individual, and was recognized nationally as well.
William Harold Pierce, known to his many friends and colleagues as “Bill”, was born on July 17, 1909 in Carbondale, Illinois, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Pierce. He furthered his interest in the mortuary field by attending the St. Louis School of Embalming in St. Louis, Missouri. He married the former Gladys Naylor and upon moving to Dallas, Texas, they decided upon Oak Cliff as their future home.
Upon moving to the Oak Cliff area, Mr. Pierce established his own business in the middle of the 1930’s – a dangerous period for any man to venture into business for himself. But he had courage and faith in America. He founded the Morticians Supply Company with an initial investment of $5,000 in Oak Cliff when the suburban area was far from being the large “city within a city” that it is today. But he had the courage of a born leader and a really outstanding businessman, and within a brief time, he was on the high road to business success. As Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Pierce Companies, he saw his company grow from a small firm that served only the immediate area around Texas to one of the largest embalming chemical and funeral supply companies in the world. In 1990, Mr Pierce acquired the Royal Bond Company in St, Louis. This brought him full circle because he launched his career in the funeral supply business with the Royal Bond Company in the 1930s. Along the way, the Armstrong Chemical Company, the Naturo Company and the Eureka Company have also become a part of Pierce Companies. With this enormous growth has come the establishment of Pierce Chemicals Royal Bond product centers not only in Dallas, but in Atlanta, Georgia; Jeffersonville, Indiana; St Louis, Missouri; and Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Pierce’s vision did not stop with just a successful company, however. Keenly interested in research and education in the mortuary sciences, he was also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pierce Mortuary Colleges, which consists of three of the leading funeral service colleges in the country.
They are Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas; the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur (Atlanta), Georgia; and the Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana. His efforts in assuring high standards of education within these colleges have been a significant factor in the continued and successful operation of these institutions.
His interest and efforts in mortuary education were not isolated to his own three schools, however. Going back just a few years to a time when there was a definite possibility that the entire structure of the national accreditation of all mortuary colleges might collapse, he helped materially in the restructuring of the American Board of Funeral Service Education and the successful resolution of problems among the various organizations that comprised the American Board.
Shortly after settling down in Oak Cliff, Bill joined into the civic life of the area. He was a former City Councilman and he also served as Mayor Pro-Tem of Dallas. Mr. Pierce was an active member of National Funeral Directors Association, Texas Funeral Directors Association and Texas Funeral Supply Sales Club, plus many other State Funeral Directors Associations. He also served as a Board member of the Dallas division of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Methodist Hospital of Dallas and also the Metropolitan Hospital Authority. He was an active member of the Kessler Park United Methodist Church.
Early in his business career, Bill became intensely interested in the Optimist Club, a service club whose members specialize in taking the most optimistic view of things and also of doing good to their fellow man by putting into practice their happy view of life. Bill Pierce was not only just a member of the Optimist Club, he was a born optimist, and his friendly greeting and broad smile showed his real character. He managed to always keep his good humor and optimistic outlook on life — factors that helped him through many a tough spot in a busy life. He was the youngest man to be elected as President of Optimist International.
As a leader in civic, community and social endeavors, Mr. Pierce was one of the busiest men in Dallas, participating in all the diverse undertakings that came to his attention. As a businessman, he started out as an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word, causing situations and circumstances under his control to grow as only he was able to do. An an educator, Mr. Pierce never sought anything less than the best, which was indicative of the whole person W. H. Pierce; whatever he did, he gave it his all and sought only the best for those involved.
Dallas Institute of Funeral Service is a proud member of the Pierce Mortuary College family of institutions. See our other locations:
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