Norman Francis Pearce

Norman Francis Pearce, 89, of Mt. Crawford, VA, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Harrisonburg Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on August 4, 1934, in Kansas City, MO, the youngest child of the late Christopher and Elizabeth Pearce. Norman was raised Catholic by a devout mother and went to Catholic schools until he was college age. Norman talked often about attending the Irish Catholic school in the Strawberry Hill area of Kansas City, even though the Polish school was much closer to home. His Polish immigrant mother wanted to be sure he learned English. He went to a Catholic high school and had some college studies before he focused on his gift for sales. He loved talking with people and making new friends. Norman spent his youth and young adult life in Kansas City, where he married Marcia Lampton, and his two oldest daughters were born. His job in wine sales relocated him to Oklahoma City and Memphis, TN where another daughter and a son were born respectively. They then returned to Kansas City, MO to be close to their extended families. For many years, Norman worked at the corner liquor store in his neighborhood whereas his wife worked at the local Catholic elementary school. His liquor sales job and affability acquainted him with many of his neighbors who called him by his first name. His wife Marcia was a teacher to all the kids of those liquor store customers and known as Mrs. Pearce. He got a kick out of them both being so well known in the community -- him always as Norman and his wife always as Mrs. Pearce. In their kid's teen and adult years, Norman pursued his dream to live in the Los Angeles area in California where he worked in various management jobs including restaurant management and a security firm. As they neared retirement, Norman and Marcia moved to Front Royal, VA to be close to their daughter Pam Murphy. Norman loved to celebrate special occasions and any cause for celebration was a good one. He also loved to garden. He is survived by his children, Pam Murphy, Marc Pearce, Sue Herriman, and Deanna Stewart; his 11 grandchildren; his six great grandchildren and many cousins. In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marcia Pearce. A Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harrisonburg, VA on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 1 p.m. A graveside service is scheduled for August 3, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City, MO with a celebration of his life to follow. An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.

Norman Francis Pearce

August 4, 1934 - July 2, 2024