Obituary of James Pierce Chambers

James Pierce Chambers "Peck", 90, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2013. He was born April 3, 1922, in Arvonia, Va. Pierce graduated from Arvonia High School in 1939 and earned a degree in civil engineering at VMI, class of '44. He completed graduate studies at Harvard and at MIT. While in Boston, Pierce met his future wife the late Betty Hunter. They married in August 1944. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a radar/radio officer in Okinawa and the Marshall Islands. After his service in WWII, Pierce and family moved to Alexandria in 1947. Pierce joined Melpar in 1947 as a junior engineer and became President and CEO in 1968. He retired in 1985 after serving 38 years with that company. Pierce was a long time contributor to the community. He was a major supporter of Heroes, Inc. assisting the men and women that served in the law enforcement and firefighting community. Pierce was an active member of Bush Hill Presbyterian where he served as an elder and a member of the Alexandria Virginia Rotary Club. He was a long time member of Belle Haven Country Club where he became an avid golfer. Pierce was a lifetime hunter and he enjoyed cooking. Pierce is survived by his two sons: Jim and his wife Fiona, Tom and his wife Patty. He also is survived by his grandchildren; Dustin and his wife Alicia, Brett and Gregg and his great-granddaughter; Shaw Pierce Chambers. Pierce was predeceased by his second wife Marion and his long time loving companion Dot Cummings of Alexandria, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Marine Corps Association Foundation. www.mcafdn.org or to the Alexandria Rotary Club. The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday March 18th at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church. 4916 Franconia Rd. Alexandria, VA 22310. Mr. Chambers will be interred in his hometown of Arvonia, VA at a private family ceremony.