James Pierce Obituary

James "Jim" R Pierce

North Charleston - James "Jim" Pierce, beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor, musician, and friend, was called home to Heaven on Sunday, March 15, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 81.

Born on July 10, 1944, in Stamford, Connecticut, Jim grew up in Tuckahoe, New York. He attended Concordia Prep School and Concordia Junior College in Bronxville, New York, and later Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he roomed for two years with his lifelong friend, Reverend John Goerss. Two years after graduation, he married the love of his life, Linda, with whom he built a life centered on faith, family, service, and love.

Jim earned his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1970 and remained there for advanced study, pursuing a Master of Theology in New Testament Studies. He completed his vicarage in Phoenix, Arizona, and began his pastoral ministry in Farmington, Minnesota. He later served at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wilson, North Carolina, and then for more than 20 years at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Howell, New Jersey, where he became a beloved spiritual leader and cherished member of the community.

Throughout his life, Jim served the church with extraordinary energy, imagination, and heart. He was not only a gifted pastor and preacher, but also a gifted musician who brought worship to life through his love of the organ and his deep musicality. He devoted many years to writing creative worship materials and music for Concordia Publishing House. Among those creative projects was Divine Inspirations: Pearls of Wisdom for the Old and New Testament, published by Harper Collins in 1997, a meaningful collaboration with his lifelong friend, Reverend John Goerss, and his daughter, Anne.

In later years, Jim served as Pastor Emeritus and organist at Grace Lutheran Church in Summerville, South Carolina, and also played the organ at St. John's Lutheran Church in Charleston and St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Summerville. Whether preaching, playing, teaching, or simply showing up for others with warmth and joy, he gave of himself fully and faithfully.

Jim and Linda lived happily in North Charleston for more than 20 years, where they built a rich life of family, friendship, faith, and community. He loved traveling the world, spending time with family, and being a vibrant part of his community. Even in retirement, when he was not actively serving a congregation, he continued sharing his gifts by playing piano for singalongs at his retirement community, bringing joy and music to those around him.

Those who knew Jim will remember him as loving, caring, outgoing, warm, creative, energetic, and incredibly talented. He touched countless lives through his faith, compassion, generosity, and joyful spirit.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Linda Pierce; his son, Kevin Pierce; his beloved grandchildren, Kylandra, Justus, and Alden Pierce; his daughter, Anne Pierce; and her husband, Tony Morabito. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, former congregations, and all who were blessed to know him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET at Grace Lutheran Church, 1600 Old Trolley Road, Summerville, South Carolina 29485. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church.

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