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Dr. Jim PEARCE

FUNERAL HOME

A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory

2773 North Decatur Road

Decatur, Georgia

Jim PEARCE Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

PEARCE, Dr. Jim Dr. Jim Pearce, 78, of Atlanta, passed away November 6, 2013. Dr. Pearce was predeceased by his son, Kipp in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Mary Pearce; son, Ward Pearce of Marietta, GA and grandson, Aidan. Dr. Pearce earned his Bachelor degree from the University of Miami and received his Ph.D. in Education from Georgia State University. Dr. Pearce will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and educator. He was a retired elementary school principal with DeKalb County School system, finishing his career at Rockbridge Elementary school where he truly believed and fulfilled the school motto of "with the child in mind." A funeral service will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons this evening (Friday) at 5 PM. Burial will be on Saturday at 2 PM in Iron City, GA. The family will receive friends from 3 - 5 PM today at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Nov. 8, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Jim PEARCE

Sponsored by The Drum Major - Major D.H. Dale U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Retired).

34 Entries

May 19, 2017

Thinking of the Family of James Gammill Pearce, Band Director, Cross Keys High School, Atlanta, Georgia, 1958-1963.

D.H. Dale MBA CGSC LOM
Major, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Retired - 1993)
The Drum Major 1958-1963
Publisher/Producer/Writer 1997-2017
http://www.dhdale.com/
[email protected]

Chieftain 1963 Cross Keys High School

The Drum Major

April 16, 2016

Jim Grier

November 29, 2013

Mary, I am sorry I did not hear the news about Jim's passing in time to attend the service. He taught me to play clarinet in 4th grade at Woodward but more important he taught me to love to entertain. I was in 8th grade his last year at Cross Keys but there are still a lot of Mr. Pearce stories that I shared with my sons who were in band and orchestra and many others even to this day. He made a big difference in many young lives and will be fondly remembered.

Emory Smith

November 20, 2013

Deepest condolences to the Pearce and Ward families and their close friends. I know Dr. Pearce will be greatly missed. He was a superb Band Director at CKHS. Dr. Pearce was great at working with the band as a whole unit but he never lost sight of each and every individual band member. He was always leading and counseling to make the group better.

November 19, 2013

Jim Pearce was the band and chorus director at Cross Keys High School from 1959-1961. I was the chorus pianist for the first three years the school was open and was privileged to study under him. He had his hands full with the new school band and chorus and helped us as we adapted to the transfer from Chamblee. He was much more than a teacher; he was truly a great leader, and I learned much from him. I wish he could know I kept playing the piano most of my life until a physical problem intervened. Mrs. Pearce, I'm thinking about you; I remember you as well. God bless your family as you go through this time.
Annelle Woolley Jones, Class of 1961

Martha

November 15, 2013

I remember Dr. Pearce as a good man. He not only led a great school and was loved by his students and faculty, but also helped me when it was time for me to go out into the world first as an Emory grad student, then for my first real job at CDC. He was encouraging when I was scared. I'm sure the resume he wrote for me helped me with my applications. My sympathy to the family.

Jami Whitley

November 14, 2013

Dr. Pearce was a fantastic principal and leader. As an educator, I now understand the importance of working in an environment under and with an excellent leader. I have such fond memories of Rockbridge Elementary and Dr.Pearce! I am 46 years old and find it incredible that my mom knew i would want to know about his passing. She received the news from a series of email forwards before it was sent to me. This shows how many people almost half a century later still respect Dr. Pearce and the legacy he left at this little Stone Mountain school. It was a wonderful place to grow up! Behind every good man is a good woman-so my heart goes out to Mrs. Pearce and her family. May God give you peace at this time,

Donald Edwards

November 11, 2013

I am very sorry to read about the passing of Dr. Pearce. Not only was he a great principal, before that he was a great band director who's positive influence, and some time stern talks, sent many a band member on a much better course through life. He was the most influential teacher in my life. May the Lord comfort Mary and the family.

Peg & Bill Kieffer

November 10, 2013

Dr. Pearce was not only a wonderful principal who influenced the growth of our three sons, but was a great supporter of the PTA and parent volunteers who helped maked Rockbridge Elementary the School of Excellence that it was. Our sympathy to Mary, her son and his family.

Linda Bailey

November 10, 2013

Dr. Pearce hired me on the spot at Rockbridge and told me he would call personnel so that I could go on and enjoy my Summer. I will never forget his kindness to me. Sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man.

Terry Benischek

November 9, 2013

It was with great sadness that we learned of Dr. Pearce's passing. He will live on forever in the hearts and minds of every child (and parent) who passed through the doors of Rockbridge Elementary School where he was a beloved Principal,. He was a gem among men and worked especially well with children. My children had the privilege of attending his school -- and the success they have achieved as adults is owed largely to his influence in their early years. He was kind, respectful and loving in his dealing with the children in his charge. As a former PTA worker at Rockbridge it was a pleasure to be in the company of such a principled man. His wisdom and knowledge was unsurpassed and I have known few school administrators of Jim Pearce's caliber. We are sure that you will miss him greatly and our prayers are with you, Mary and your son and his family. Your loss is great and we pray that the Lord will grant you His Peace during this very sad time.

Anne Miller

November 9, 2013

Dr. Pierce shared his love of learning with all of his students at Rockbridge Elementary. He impressed my two children and inspired them with his wit and caring nature. We are grateful for his life. Our prayers go out to his family.

Angela chick Arnoult

November 9, 2013

What a wonderful man!! My brother and I attended Rockbridge Elementary School from 1975-1981 before we moved back to Memphis. He was fantastic!!! My prayers go out to his family!! Angela Chick Arnoult

November 9, 2013

My brother and I attended Rockbridge Elementary from 1976-1981. What a great man!! Prayers to the family!!

johnny holcomb

November 9, 2013

dear mrs pearce, your husband was a good person and i liked him..you used to live at the corner of grant and thompson,,i lived 5 doors down on thompson..johnny holcomb cross keys 1963..

Christian Adams

November 9, 2013

I have a lot of good memories at Rockbridge. Dr Pearce was a respected and highly loved principle. Prayers go out to the family.

Merri Williams

November 9, 2013

As a first-year teacher, I was blessed to have Dr. Jim Pearce as one of my five principals while teaching as an itinerant elementary band director for DeKalb County. He led by example not only for his students, but also his teachers.

As a former band director, he understood the many challenges I dealt with as a teacher literally without a classroom and often went out of his way to make things easier for this young teacher, providing rehearsal space and time even for students from other DeKalb schools. One of my fondest memories of him was performing with our area band for the spring concert in 1977.

My deepest sympathies go out to his family. May it bring some comfort to know that Dr. Jim Pearce's teachings and examples impacted many, many lives, and his legacy lives on.

Pam Chinik

November 9, 2013

I heard about his passing on facebook as friends shared a photo of him using the school's first Apple computer with my class. What a wonderful principal he was, and what fantastic memories I will have of elementary school thanks to him. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Rebecca hood

November 9, 2013

He was a great man and a great friend and boss. I loved him like a father. My hearts go out to the family. Rip my friend u will be missed.

Erin Simpson

November 9, 2013

So sorry for your loss. I remember Dr. Pearce well. He was my principal at Rockbridge Elementary. A kind man.
~Erin Sheppard Simpson

Valerie Johnson

November 9, 2013

To the family of Dr. Pearce,
I have many fond memories of Dr. Pearce and the days we all spent together at Rockbridge Elementary. I wish you peace in your hearts during this sad time. God Bless... Valerie Catron Johnson

Sam Miller

November 9, 2013

Thank you Dr.Pearce for being a great educator and friend. You never gave up on me. You pushed me to make me a better person.I remember the last time I worked with him . I was on his stage crew for a play . Well Rest in Peace.

Laura Pennell Calvert

November 9, 2013

Dr. Pearce was my elementary school Principal when we moved to Stone Mountain from Florida when I was 8. It was because of him and his staff that Rockbridge was a magical place. The environment and the life lessons continue to influence my philosophy of education, of parenting and of volunteering. He truly made a difference and I have a special place in my heart for him. It is because of Rockbridge that I am so grateful that my children have Hembree Springs Elementary. RIP Dr. Pearce. So glad I got to speak with you a few years back. I love you.

Brad Mitchell

November 9, 2013

Rest In Peace, Dr. Pearce. You helped make my years at Rockbridge a positive experience!

Tasha Dempsey Carr

November 9, 2013

Dr. Pearce was awesome!! When I was in the first grade at Rockbridge Elementary he pulled my first tooth. I remember seeing him in the hallway with a tissue on my mouth he said "Come here let me pull that" and within 5 seconds he did, and I went on to class. He was dedicated to our school and was the driving force behind our many years as "School of Excellence". He will be greatly missed.

Rose Timmerberg Montgomery

November 9, 2013

So sad to hear of Dr. Pearce's passing. He was my principal at Rockbridge in the 80's. He was so connected and in touch with students that we truly felt at home when we were there. I remember staying after school one day and asking him for change to get a drink. He said if I could pick out the correct key to the vending machine from his big keychain I would have it for free. Well I did, he gave me the drink, and lots of years later I remember that fondly. I'm now in my 5th year as a high school assistant principal and look to my years with him as examples for how I can lead. Hope you find peace in knowing his teachings are alive today in us.

S.Griggs

November 9, 2013

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

November 9, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Brian Kelley

November 9, 2013

I was so shocked to hear the news of Dr. Pearce's passing. So ironic, I was wondering about him a month ago. It's been nearly 30 years since our class of '84 graduated, but I have a lot of great memories being a Rockbridge Rocket. We all must appreciate the time we lived in when life was much more simple, innocent time when we could walk to school alone, no fear of crime, not wear helmets on our bikes, and principals actually did morning, in-between, and afternoon announcements. He has been one of several influences in my life for sure, and he always believed in his students and strived to help them grow and achieve their dreams. He definitely set me straight on a few occasions. Even heard his voice broadcast his name over the intercom: 'Brian Kelley, come to the office.' Ohhh man! Life is so precious, and we grow so much in our youth, and continue to grow today. My prayers and condolences to the Pearce family and for leaving a wonderful legacy to our proud little town of Stone Mountain and generations of students.

November 8, 2013

Jim Pearce made a definite and positive influence on my life during my years at Cross Keys HS. He not only was an accomplished musician and director, but he was always available for good advice and emotional support for a group of young people trying to find their way into adulthood. Thanks you, Dr. Pearce for what you have meant to my life and that of many others. You will be greatly missed.
Andrea Raulerson McGriff

November 8, 2013

What shocking news to learn of Dr.Pearce's death! I only have the fondest memories of him as a man and principal. Dr.Pearce was my principal at Rockbridge Elementary when I taught 2nd grade there from 1974-1977. What a wonderful principal! He truly had the respect and admiration from his students, staff and community. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Charlene Alvarez

JDJ

November 8, 2013

When Dr. Pearce began his career in DeKalb County, he assumed the position of Band Director at the newly opened Cross Keys HS. Those were wonderful days! I had the extreme pleasure of being in the band 8th-12th grade. 50 years later several of my best friends today were fellow band members, and whenever we're together we tell and re-tell wonderful stories of our years with Dr. Pearce, and Miss Ollie. Fond, loving memories!
Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Kirsten Polentz Haas

November 8, 2013

I will never forget Dr. Pearce's announcements about "Sorry, the chocolate cow is sick today so there will be no chocolate milk at lunch." He was a great principal because he was a great man. He was the fire behind the "Rockbridge Rockets". With fond memories, my deepest sympathies to the family.

Heather Searcy

November 8, 2013

My sister Holly Loyd and my self (Heather Loyd) wish your family blessings and prayers in this time. You were a wonderful principal and cared for each of your students. We were there from 1984 to 87 and still think of you fondly Dr. Pearce. I am now a massage therapist, you inspired that. thank you for your care as an educator and Principal!!!!! God bless.

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