Dr. Frank Howard Pearce, 87, of Vero Beach, died July 17, 2011, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
He died of complications from Parkinson’s disease.
Frank was born Oct. 2, 1923, in Sumner, Georgia, the only child of Caroline and Edgar Pearce.
His family moved to Miami in 1926, where his father was a pioneer tomato grower in Dade County.
Pearce graduated from Miami Senior High School, attended the University of Florida, North Carolina State University and the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Ill.
He practiced optometry in Coral Gables, FL for 40 years, retiring in Vero Beach in 1992.
As a B17 bomber pilot, based in Foggia, Italy during World War II, Pearce flew 22 missions over eastern Europe and was awarded the Air Medal and four battle stars.
He was a member of the 99th Bomb Group Historical Society and coordinated the annual reunions with his crew members.
Pearce was a member of Rotary Club of Coral Gables, Coral Reef Yacht Club and the Army-Navy Club of Coral Gables.
He was a member of Christ By the Sea United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees.
An accomplished artist and photographer of the Everglades, Pearce had two one-man shows of his paintings at the Everglades National Park Visitor’s Center.
He was frequently asked to lecture on the subject and show his beautiful photographs taken in the Park.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Druliner Pearce; daughters, Cindy Millstein and her husband, Alan, Deborah Houlihan and her husband, Terry; and three grandsons, Robert, David, and Michael Millstein.
A memorial service will be held Friday, July 22 at 11 a.m. at Christ By The Sea Methodist Church, 3755 N A1A, Vero Beach, Florida.
Memorial gifts may be made in Frank’s name to VNA Hospice House, 901 37th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida.
Condolences may be sent through www.seawindsfh.com