John Nicholas “Nick” Pearce, age 61, died peacefully at home with his family on Monday, Aug. 4, 2014 after a five year battle with dementia/Alzheimer's disease.
Nick was born on Sept. 22, 1952 in Renton, Wash. to John Nicholas and Lynn Pearce. He lived in the Burien area throughout his childhood. Nick graduated from Highline High School in 1971 and went on to study Art Education at Western Washington University, graduating in 1975. Years later, he returned to the classroom as a student and received an MA from the University of Portland in 1991.
While in high school, Nick became friends with Corinne Larson when they both took a 5th period pottery class. After graduating from college, Nick and Corinne were married on Aug. 16, 1975. Nick taught one year at Granger High School in Granger, Wash. before moving to Adna. Nick taught art and photography at the Adna Middle/High School for 33 years before his retirement in 2009.
In 1982, Nick designed and built the family home. He loved the outdoors and grew up fishing and camping with his family. He was a passionate cyclist, when he was 18 years old he talked three friends into riding their bikes down the Oregon coast. Forty years later, the friends re-united for the same ride. As a gifted artist, he enjoyed every medium of fine art. Nick loved music and played the guitar. He also enjoyed photography and worked many years creating the Adna yearbook with his students. Nick was also a long-time member of the Centralia Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher for many years. In 1985, he traveled to Bolivia to build homes and a medical clinic through the Horeb Mission organization.
Nick loved his years of teaching. He often said that one day, he might actually graduate and move on. For many years, Nick coached sports, including both boys and girls basketball. As a youth, he played baseball and continued to love baseball until his death.
Nick is survived by his wife of 39 years, Corinne; and his daughter and son-in law, Amber Nichol and Matthew Knepper, his daughter and son-in-law, Elaine Corinne and Daniel del Rosario and his daughter Catherine Jane Pearce. He is also survived by four adoring granddaughters, Sage Corinne, Hazel Lourdes and Scarlett Mae del Rosario, and Quorra Jaye Pearce. Nick is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Michael Basinger, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Since his diagnosis in 2009, several members of the medical community cared for Nick through their research and their friendship. The family wishes to thank UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Providence Hospice and the home caregivers who have provided so much compassion and dignity during the last several years. Memorial celebration for Nick will be held at Bethel Church, 132 Kirkland Road in Chehalis on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Donations can be made to the Nick Pearce Art Scholarship c/o Adna High School, PO Box 148, Adna, WA 98522.
