James Richard McGhie Pearce

James Richard McGhie Pearce 1940 ~ 2009 James Richard McGhie Pearce died peacefully at home after meeting the challenges of ALS with optimism and faith.He was born May 2, 1940 to Richard Obra and Mary Isabella McGhie Pearce in Salt Lake City. During elementary school and part of junior high, he attended Stewart School on the U of U campus, graduating from East High School and the University of Utah, where he was affiliated with Sigma Chi fraternity. He married Virginia Hinckley September 10, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple. They enjoyed, cared for, and loved each other immensely. Virginia and their family are grateful for thousands and thousands of priceless memories with Jim. Jim had a rich childhood. Very early, he showed an avid interest in science. Supported by his mother, he and his friends had a chemistry lab in the basement and spent summers catching butterflies in Millcreek Canyon and other environs--spreading and classifying and preserving them in museum drawers. This would be a lifelong interest, one perfectly suited to his love of the outdoors and science. He was a gifted athlete but had limited interest in competitive sports. He ran multiple marathons and triathlons. He simply loved to feel his healthy body moving--particularly when it took him into the mountains, hiking or biking or skiing. His wide-ranging interests included a 1959 Austin Healey, barbershop singing, 4-string banjo playing, Beatles harmonies, the geo-thermal activity at Yellowstone Park, and spectacular drives through autumn leaves. As a young man, Jim served a mission to England and Wales. There he fell in love with the people and became a lifelong Anglophile, tending many of those friendships over a lifetime. He served faithfully in many callings in the LDS Church, but enjoyed none more than teaching and learning from the Book of Mormon. He possessed quiet but profound faith in and devotion to the Savior, coupled with a firm moral compass. Jim graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine and did his residency training at LDS Hospital and Yale-New Haven Affiliated Hospitals. He practiced internal medicine in the Holladay/ Murray area for 34 years. He was a Fellow in the American Academy of Physicians and for many years served as clinical faculty for the U of U Medical School. Meticulous in keeping his medical knowledge up to date, he was diligent in caring for patients. He loved them and they in turn loved him. He saw his profession as a commitment to science and service. Jim is survived by his wife, Virginia; six children and their spouses: Rosemary (Richard) Olsen, Emily (Dave) Fox, Laura (Blair) Jenkins, Heidi (Randy) Jenson, Amy (John) Bingham, James (Anna) Pearce; and 25 wonderful grandchildren. His sisters, Mary Lynn Barlow and Cathy Anderegg also survive him, as well as countless friends, relatives and associates who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law. The family wishes to thank the many people who touched Jim's life in joyful ways during the past year. We are grateful to the ALS Clinic and to his nurse, Heidi Lafferty, who served him with respectful and tender skill. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 30 at noon in the Parleys 6th Ward, 2350 South 2100 East. Friends may call Thursday from 6-8 at Larkin Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South or at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the LDS Church Missionary Fund.