James Waldrop Pearson, 76, of Centre, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Pearson was a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He was a U.S. Navy LCDR (retired), which sent him around the world. He was stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, where his children, family and friends still currently reside. He loved flying P3s and P2s with special memories of VXN-8 and project "Magnet". He was a member of Centre First Baptist Church, a member of St. Maries County, MD Optimist Club, and Centre Red Cross.

He was the son of the late Aubrey Hilliard & Mary Jane Waldrop Pearson. He is survived by his former wife Pollyanne Walker Pearson, of California, Maryland, and by his present wife Kay Newman Pearson, of Centre, Alabama. He is also survived by his children Jamie (Jeff) McLane of California, Maryland, son Timothy Pearson of Valley Lee, Maryland, step-son Allan (Monica) Morton of Springville, Alabama, step-son Bryan (Liz) Morton of Stewart, Florida. He has seven grandchildren, Jenny Bischoff, Nicole Hodges, Jenifer Downs, Jarred Morton, Jesica McLane, Sam Morton, Fletcher Morton. As well as six great-grandchildren, Dallas Downs, Mykah Hodges, Jackson Downs, Savannah Bischoff, Cole Downs, Gavin Liston.

Pallbearers include Timothy Pearson, Allan Morton, Jeff McLane, Sam Morton, Jared Morton and Steve Newman. Honorary Pallbearers are Doug Newman and Bobby Carlton.

The family will receive friends Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 1pm at First Baptist Church of Centre Alabama. Internment will follow in Weiss Lake Memorial Gardens, Gaylesville, Alabama. Memorial contributions may be made to The ROC, c/o First Baptist Church, 300 East Bypass, Centre, AL 35960.