James Anthony Pearson

LCDR James “Jim” Anthony Pearson, (79) U.S. Navy Retired, passed away on Memorial Monday, May 25, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, he was the son of CDR Thomas Pearson Sr. U.S. Navy Retired and Maryanne Pearson.

After graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1968, he began his Navy career on the USS Frank Knox as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. During his naval career LCDR Pearson also earned a Masters of Science in Administration from George Washington University. He proudly served our country deployed on six different warships with duty stations in San Diego, California, Norfolk, Virginia and Tampa, Florida. His final duty station was Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida as the Officer in Charge of the Naval Electronics Detachment until his retirement on 1 July 1988. His 20 years of dedicated service had him serving in the Vietnam War, and deployments in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas. LCDR Pearson crossed the equator twice, where he went from being a “pollywog” to a seasoned “shellback”.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Jim built a successful 20-year career working for the State of Florida as a Business Manager for the Florida Department of Health.

He was a proud member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, USS Frank Knox Alumni and the American Legion.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Janice Shore-Pearson, his children; Thomas Pearson of St Petersburg FL, Nicole Fletcher (Jeffrey) of Atlanta GA, Jennette Moody (Chad) of Jacksonville FL, Julie Pearson of Jax FL, and stepchildren; Scott Ritter, and Emily Walsh (Brian) also of Jax, FL. He was a proud “Paw” to 9 grandchildren; Megan, Abigail and Lilly Fletcher, Hank and Becca Moody, Ella Voyles, Lucas, Donovan and Lakelyn Walsh. He is also survived by his siblings Ed Pearson and Mary Thom.

Jim enjoyed being outside, gardening, he was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling with Jann, and being with his children and grandchildren. His easy-going personality, infectious smile, silly sense of humor and quick wit will be tremendously missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Following a family service with military honors he will be interred with his brother 2Lt Thomas Rickard Pearson Jr, USMC and his parents at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or the USO at https://www.uso.org/.