Lt. Col. Kenneth William Pearce Sr., 89, went home to be with the Lord on December 27, 2021.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Marianne York Pearce; son, Kenneth Pearce Jr. (Nancy); daughters, Gina Best and Rosemary Kross (David); and grandchildren, Will Best (Laura), Pearce Kross, Marianne Pearce, Tygen Kross, and Kenneth Pearce III.
Ken was born and raised in Charleston, S.C. graduating from Charleston High School in 1950 and from the Citadel Military College of South Carolina in 1955, where he was a member of the boxing team and the Salute Gun Detail. Lt. Col. Pearce had a very successful military career in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Benning, South Korea, two tours of Vietnam, Germany, Fort Bragg, Pascagoula, and Birmingham. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Military Science at Georgia Tech. Army details include Airborne School, Platoon Leader, Ranger Course, Tactical Officer, Executive Officer of H & S Airborne Company, Company Commander of 1st Airborne Battle Group, 504th Infantry, 8th Infantry Division, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Assistant Professor of Military Science, and Special Forces Command Language School.
Ken retired from the US Army on October 1, 1975 and moved to Huntsville to take over the JROTC program at the newly opened Bob Jones High School where he remained for 17 years. During his tenure he was also the head coach of a very successful Bob Jones tennis team.
Ken once served his faith lovingly as a Deacon and Elder of Faith Chapel. Ken will be remembered for his quick wit and never meeting a stranger. His love of God and country never far from his conversations. He loved his hometown, was proud of his military career, and of the students that kept him forever young. Most importantly, he loved his family and has left behind a life changing legacy of faith he shared with them.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, with the memorial service immediately following. A military honors burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the V. F. W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) in memory of Lt. Col. Kenneth Pearce.
Posted in: Laughlin Service Funeral Home & Crematory
Posted on: 2022-01-04
Link to original obituary: https://www.laughlinservice.com/obituaries/Kenneth-Ken-William-Pearce?obId=23508960