Charlie "Rod" Pearce

Charlie Rodney "Rod" Pearce, age 73, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, August 30, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 4, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at K.L. Brown Memory Chapel in Golden Springs. A memorial service will follow with Reverend Brian Gilpin and Reverend Don Maddox officiating. Burial will follow at Forestlawn Gardens in Golden Springs.

A native of Anniston, Rod graduated as valedictorian of Walter Wellborn High School in 1970. He attended Jacksonville State University from 1970 - 1971 and then transferred to Auburn University, where he was an active member of Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi, national engineering honor societies. He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

Rod retired in 2018 after 41 years of federal service. His career included positions at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP); Fort McClellan's U.S. Army Chemical School and Post Engineering; Anniston Army Depot's Production Engineering; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, District Office in Mobile, AL.

When Fort McClellan closed and the U.S. Army Chemical School relocated to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Rod left the Chemical School after 18 years in the Directorate of Combat Developments, where he served as the technical contact for numerous detection and alarm devices being developed to protect troops from weapons of mass destruction. In this role, his work took him to England, France, Germany, Canada, Panama, and across the United States, where he collaborated with engineers and scientists.

During his 19 years with the CDP, Rod served as Facilities Engineer; Assistant Director of the Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, and Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF); and as the Department of the Army Liaison Officer. He was recognized as an expert in Chemical Surety and was highly respected both locally and throughout the nuclear, biological, and chemical fields. In his role as general engineer and technical advisor, he provided independent assessments and oversight of all aspects of the COBRATF mission to the Superintendent.

Rod was an avid golfer and a devoted Auburn Tigers fan, especially of Auburn football. He was a member of Harvest Church of God, the Elks Lodge #189, and a lifetime member of the Chemical Corps Regimental Association (CCRA).

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 17 years, Jondra Pearce; daughter, Brandi (Jason) Green of Munford; son, London (Angie) Pearce of Southside; stepdaughters, Ashleigh (Daniel) Sheppard and Alexis Movitz; nine grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as "Papi": Dakota Green, Darby Green, Carly Green, Tucker Pearce, Molly Pearce, Luke Sheppard, Liam Sheppard, Colt Movitz, and Caroline Movitz; sisters, Janice Starnes of Fort Payne and Sharon Pearce of Anniston; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Oven Pearce and Frances Hollingsworth Pearce of Anniston.

Pallbearers will be Jason Green, Dakota Green, Tucker Pearce, Daniel Sheppard, Greg Feazell, and Jeff Stephenson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Chemical Corps Regimental Association.

As the family says their final goodbyes, they remember Rod's deep love for the Auburn Tigers. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite team colors in his memory.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Natividad Stover for her exceptional care, to Lynn Hadley and all of ROD'S ANGELS with Visiting Angels, the wonderful care team at Gentiva Hospice, and to all the family, friends, and members of Harvest Church of God for the countless cards, prayers, messages, and expressions of love.

Online condolences may be sent to www.klbrownmemorychapel.com

K.L. Brown Memory Chapel

620 Golden Springs Road

Anniston, AL 36207

256-231-2334