James Joseph Pearce

James Joseph Pearce, Woodinville, WA, age 73, passed on peacefully May 25, 2023 under home hospice care, with his beloved wife Elvira by his side. Jim was born in Columbus, Ohio, the middle son of the late Thomas and Esther (Hutson) Pearce, West Jefferson, Ohio. Jim is survived by his wife Elvira Makaranka, sons Eric Pearce and Richard Pearce, both of Seattle, brothers William (Linda) Pearce, Worthington, OH, and Robert (Beverly) Pearce, West Jefferson, OH, niece Nikki Pearce, Lewis Center, OH, sixteen Hutson first cousins and a large family of Sidner second and third cousins.

Labor as a youth on the family farm instilled in Jim the work ethic that led to a successful career. Jim graduated from West Jefferson High School and Ohio University. Jim’s mathematical and analytical aptitudes, along with his intuitive understanding of the details for various business situations, resulted in his obtaining a B.S. in Mathematics, with a minor in Accounting. Soon after his first marriage to Aline Naschansky and their moving to Seattle, Jim obtained his M.B.A. and his C.P.A. certification. Before starting his private practice, Jim worked as a Controller at several companies while teaching college accounting courses. Jim’s Tax Accounting C.P.A. practice included over 500 clients from all walks of life and professions, including many Microsofters. The financial situations of some clients were mundane and others fascinatingly complex, but Jim took great pride in serving all of them well.

Jim enjoyed travel, especially cruising, and relished conversing with everyone he met. His travel avocation started with his boldly convincing the Chair of the Ohio U German Department to let him participate in the upcoming Junior Year Abroad program in Salzburg, Austria, even though Herr Pearce was not a German major and was only in his first year of German! Over the years Jim travelled extensively in Europe, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and up and down the West Coast, some overland and some by cruising.

Everyone who knew Jim is invited to attend:

- A Celebration of Life, Friday, June 30, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Lifetime Celebrations by Washelli Funeral Home, 18224 103rd Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011, and

- A Commitment Ceremony for Burial of Ashes, Friday, July 14, 2:00 PM, Pastor Ruth Pribe, WJ UMC, officiating, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 8030 US 40 (West Main St), West Jefferson, OH 43162.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LifetimeCelebrationsByWashelli.com for the Pearce family.

This obituary is published in the Seattle Times and the Columbus Dispatch.