Col. Jack V. Pearce USAF (Retired)
Jack V. Pearce of Green Valley passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 after a long illness. He was surrounded by family and friends.
Jack was born in Cambridge, Ohio on October 6, 1925. The son of Clay and Jean Pearce, he attended school in Canton, Ohio. Jack married Ann Carwile in Canton on May 28, 1949. They were married 60 years at the time of Ann’s death in 2009.
After high school, Jack joined the Navy and subsequently received an appointment to the Army, attending the West Point Military Academy, graduating in 1947. He elected to continue his career in the newly formed U.S. Air Force, thus serving his Country in three branches of service.
After retiring as a highly decorated Colonel in 1976, Jack and Ann settled in Angel Fire, NM. They became part-time residents of Green Valley in 1987 and established a permanent home there in 1998.
Jack Pearce was active in the Green Valley community, volunteering every Tuesday at the Country Fair White Elephant, and serving on the boards of the White Elephant, the Tubac Center for the Arts and The Links Homeowners Association. He also served as President of the Kirtland Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque, NM, as well as a volunteer Fire Fighter and EMT in Angel Fire, NM.
Apart from his successful military career and active community life, Jack was also an avid golfer, making many lifelong friends that remained at his side until the end.
He is survived by his daughter, Karin Ladd of East Calais, Vermont, grandson Bryan Ladd of San Diego and granddaughter, Jeanne Ladd of Brooklyn, NY; his sons, Michael Pearce, his wife, Terri and grandson, Kevin Barnes all of Houston, TX, and Eric Pearce, his wife Cathy and grandsons Christopher and Benjamin of New London CN and grandson Jack, of Chelmsford MA. Also surviving are his two sisters, Beverly (Jill) Weckel of Canton, Ohio and Marcia Thomas of Green, Ohio, as well as many nieces and nephews.
At his request there are no plans for a memorial. The family will gather at a later date to honor their final request in taking Jack and Ann back to Angel Fire, where they spent many happy years together.