John Joel "Joel" Pearrow

1917 - 2007

John Joel (Jack) Pearrow, 90, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at Southlake Nursing Home in Jacksonville after a long illness.

Jack was born in 1916 in Bald Knob, Ark., and was raised in Memphis, Tenn. He was a professional singer, performing on the radio's Coca Cola Hour and at the Peabody and Clariton Hotels.

He attended the University of Missouri and was called to military service before he could finish his education. He served during World War II as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Military Police. He also was a singer with the 2nd Army Band while serving with the Headquarters Company, 2nd Army.

While on temporary assignment at Camp Blanding in 1941, he met his future wife, Yvonne Nader, and the two were married in June, 1942. Jack was honorably discharged in 1944 and he and his wife moved to St. Augustine where they went into private business, establishing Pearrow's Gift Shop at 57 King St.

After four years, the gift shop was changed into an infants and children's wear business and in 1968 the name was changed to Pearrow's Country Shop. Jack and Yvonne operated the business until their retirement in 1985.

During his many years as a businessman, Jack was a very active member of the St. Augustine community. He served as the U.S. Customs Officer for St. Augustine for two years, was an active member of the Rotary Club for many years as well as a member of the St. Augustine Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine Gun Club and the St. Johns County Sports Club. Jack continued to sing at the Ponce de Leon Hotel until it became Flagler College.

Jack was a member of the Cathedral Parrish for 64 years and served as usher at the Prince of Peace Church at the Lady of La Leche Shrine for 25 years.

Jack is survived by Yvonne Nader Pearrow, his wife of 64 years; four children, John Pearrow (Francine) of Columbia, S.C., Yvonne Pearrow Rice (Jim) of Canton, Ga., Thomas Pearrow (Ann) of St. Augustine and Rick Pearrow of Belgrade, Mont.; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Pearrow Sisk of Columbia, S.C., Stephen Pearrow of Swansea S.C., Kailey, Marissa and Genna Pearrow of St. Augustine, Glenn Cummings of Brandon and Dave Cummings of Kennessaw, Ga; and seven great-grandchildren. Michael and Connor Sisk, Peyton Pearrow, Lexi, Savanna of Brandon, and Nathaniel and Isabella Cummings of Kennessaw. He also has two nieces and two nephews in Tennessee and Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, San Marco Ave. Burial will be in San Lorenzo Cemetery. Prayers will be held 5 p.m. today at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with visitation continuing until 7 p.m. also at Prince of Peace. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the St. Joseph Academy Alumni Scholarship Fund, 155 S.R. 207, St Augustine, FL 32084, Sisters of St. Joseph Development Fund, P.O. Box 3506, St. Augustine, FL 32085.

Craig Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements

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