James H. Pearce

PEARCE, JAMES James "Jim" Pearce, 74, passed away Friday, April 27, 2012 at Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL. Jim was born Sept. 5, 1937 in Youngsville, NC; son of the late Callie Hilliard and Ophelia Irene Pearce, of Norlina, NC. After graduating from high school, Jim joined the U.S. Navy. His 24 years in the Navy allowed Jim and his family to travel extensively throughout the Far East and Europe. After his retirement he and his family moved to the Casselberry area where he lived for the last 33 years. Jim had a second career with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training System Division. He was Chief of Security for 17 years, and retired December of 2001. Surviving are his three children: two daughters, Joni Lynn Marzke and her husband Les of Debary, FL and Sheri Mendez of Odenton, MD; and son, Tim Pearce and his wife Christine of Sanford, FL; and four grandchildren: three beautiful granddaughters, Jennifer Piercy, Irene Mendez and Ashley Pearce and one handsome grandson, John Pearce. Mr. Pearce is also survived by five brothers of 11 siblings. Funeral arrangements are; viewing only will be held at Carey Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, 1350 West Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL on Tuesday, May 1 from 6 to 8 PM. Mr. Pearce's final resting place will be in Warren Plains, NC next to his late wife Shirlene Louise Stegall Pearce of 45 years. There will be a grave site Military Service on Friday, May 4 at 11 AM at Warren Plains United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his memory to the charities/church listed below. Florida Sheriff Youth Ranches Inc., P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Warren Plains United Methodist Church, P.O. 71 Warrenton, NC 27589, Attn: Amy Barber.