James Pearsall Douglass

James “Jim” Pearsall Douglass peacefully passed away on August 18, 2015. He was born in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China on December 6, 1931 where his parents, Dr. William Courtney Douglass and Dr. Ruth Earp Douglass, were serving as medical missionaries. After his father contracted tuberculosis, the family moved to Madison, New Jersey where Jim (Pear) spent his toddler years in the company of his maternal grandparents, Edwin Lee Earp and Lina Gibb Pearsall Earp, producing fond memories of his grandparents. After his father regained his health, convalescing at Loomis Interlude, the family reunited and made their home in Bernardsville, NJ where Jim spent his grade school years, and graduated from Pingry in 1950. He went on to study chemistry at the College of Wooster and graduated in 1954. While attending Wooster he met Donna Jean Harbison and they became engaged after his graduation from Wooster and before he left to start his 2 year conscript military service. During his service, he was stationed in Okinawa and sent Donna many beautiful gifts of jewelry, geisha dolls and even the material for her wedding dress. Upon his return from the service, he and Donna were married August 5, 1956 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They made their home in New Jersey and became founding members of the Hillsborough Presbyterian Church in Hillsborough Township, NJ before moving to Lynchburg, VA. In Lynchburg he and Donna made a home and raised their 3 children. Jim worked as a chemist for American Cyanamid in Piney River, VA until 1971. He then worked for Wiley & Wilson until he retired in 1997. During his working years, Jim was active with the Lynchburg Society for Engineering and Science for which he served as President for a time.

Jim enjoyed being outdoors, working in the yard, hiking in the woods, woodworking, and spending time at the family’s Bear Island summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH that he shared with his sister.

His love for the outdoors was reflected in the organized groups he chose to take part in, such as, the Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for them and throughout the years he was recognized with several awards for his leadership in conservation and devoted & distinguished service.

He also served as President of the Friends of Lynchburg Stream Valleys, and President of the Central Virginia Men’s Horticultural Club. In 1999 the City of Lynchburg’s Division of Parks & Recreation awarded him The Blackwater Creek Stewardship Award for his outstanding community service in the fields of natural resource protection, environmental education, and trail construction/maintenance for the benefit of all Citizens of Lynchburg.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg for 52 years. In that time he served as a Ruling Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, served on many committees and worked with many ministries, showing God’s love through his kind and sincere concern for everyone.

In addition to his parents and maternal grandparents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Donna Jean Harbison Douglass, his paternal grandparents, Clarence Wilson Douglass & Josie Silver Douglass, his cousins, John R. Douglass & Paul Douglass Martin, and his beloved daughter-in-law, Cindy H. Douglass.

Surviving him are three children, William Franklin Douglass of Madison Heights, VA, James Sherwood Douglass (Kathy) and his family of Londonderry, NH, and Deanna Ruth Douglass Pickford (Will) and her family of Harrisonburg, VA; those that knew him as O’Pop are four grandchildren, Michelle Jeanette Douglass, William Donald Douglass (Chelsea), Blake Sherwood Douglass (Brittany), Benjamin Pearsall Willis and five great grandchildren, Christopher Michael Douglass, Caleb Jason Fulcher, Wyatt Daghuer-Owen Douglass, Ayden Phillip Douglass & Madilyn Louise Douglass; sister, Jocelyn Douglass of Wiscasset, ME; nephews, Christopher Thatcher Lord and family & Jonathan Richmond Lord and family; cousins, Margaret Douglass Darrow (Dave) of Sandy Spring, MD, Dr. Richard Wilson Martin (Pennie) of Salisbury, NC, John Rogers Martin (Emily) of Honolulu, HI, Sarah Jean Martin Cole (Peter) of Sunset Beach, HI, Col. Edwin Lee Earp (Annie) of Hilltop Lakes, TX, and Ellen Earp Baker (Buzz) of Westminster, MD.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 10:00am in First Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Fred Holbrook & Dr. Jim Price officiating. A committal ceremony will follow in the Memorial Columbarium and the family would like to greet friends at a reception in the Church Narthex afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider First Presbyterian Church, 1215 V.E.S. Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503, Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or their favorite charity.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.