More detail on this person: James Robert Pierce departed this life on 10/18/2022 at his home in Dahlonega, GA. He was born in Eton, GA. On January 30, 1932 to Charles B. and Jewel Pierce. Since childhood, James has been known as "Footsie" to many of his friends and acquaintances. James graduated with the class of 1949 from Murray County High School in Chatsworth, GA. After graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate from North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA in 1954, he began a military career in both infantry and aviation, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in command and staff positions in a number of US Army locations including : Army Aviation School, Ft. Rucker, AL; 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY; 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, KS and Military Faculty, North Georgia College, Dahlonega, Ga. Overseas service included 55th Aviation Company, Seoul, Korea; 3rd Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany; and 7th Corp Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany and two combat tours in Vietnam with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company and the 101st Aviation Battalion. His military education and training included: Basic and Advanced Infantry Schools; Paratrooper School; Fixed and Rotary Flight Schools; Command and General Staff College and a M.A. degree from the University of South Alabama. His awards and decorations include: The Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism; Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal with ten Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. At the age of 13 he was awarded the Citizenship Medal by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for saving the life of a friend from drowning. James married Jeannene Rymer, a high school classmate, in 1955. They reared three children as an Army family until his retirement after twenty-one years of service and made their home in Dahlonega. He completed two years of law school before joining the faculty of Brenau University in Gainesville, GA as an instructor and co-ordinator of a degree granting program at five off campus centers throughout North Georgia. He retired from Brenau University in 1991 after 13 years and joined the faculty of North Georgia College as an adjunct professor. While participating in a successful teaching career, he and his wife established and operated three small business enterprises in Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, GA. James was a member of Dahlonega United Methodist Church. His civic activities included a founding member of the North Georgia College Athletic Association, Dahlonega Civitan Club, charter member of the Dahlonega Rotary Club and a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. He is preceded in death by his parents, step-father H.C. Kitchens, sister Helen Pierce Taylor, beloved Aunts Johnnie Pierce Hartley and Mamie Pierce, brothers-in-law Morris Taylor, Amos Ladd Keith Jr. and Paul Kitchens. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeannene R. Pierce, sons and daughters-in-law James R. (Jim) Pierce Jr. and Tricia Colvin Pierce, Phillip M. Pierce and Lois Whitley Pierce, Dahlonega Ga: daughter and son-in-law Patricia Jean (Patti) and Tim Corl, Franklin TN. Grandchildren Michael (Yasmin) Pierce, Hunnington Beach CA; Melissa (David) Williams, Washington DC; step-granddaughter Annie (Christian) Harris, Evans GA; Hannah Corl, Nashville TN; Pierce Corl, Thompsons Station TN; great-grandson Royal Pierce; step-great grandchildren Vivian and Asher Harris and Casity and Christopher Whitley; sisters-in-law Peggy Keith, Dalton Ga and Nancy Kitchens, Dahlonega Ga and many other loved relatives and friends Funeral services will be held on 10/21/22 at 11:00 AM at the Dahlonega Funeral Home. Prior to the funeral service, visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Following the service the family will receive relatives and friends from 3:00 until 4:00 PM at Peeples Funeral Home in Chatsworth GA. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at 4:30 PM at the Eton Cemetery in Eton GA.
Burial information: Eton Cemetery
This information was last updated 12/12/2023
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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