David Andrews Pearce

Mount Airy lost one of its kindest caretakers of both scrap and strays with the passing of David Andrews Pearce. Born on Christmas Eve 1943 in Winston-Salem, NC. David spent most of his life in Mount Airy, N.C. where he ran the business that brought his father back home in the 1950’s – Mount Airy Iron & Metal. What most might see as piles of scrap, David considered it his happy place. To him, the yard wasn’t just a business – it was a community gathering spot for locals with a story to tell, a place where a good laugh or a strong opinion was always free, and a sanctuary for any four-legged wanderers who knew that twice a day, every day, a tall man donning a Glock or Corvette hat would pull up to make sure Mount Airys' stray cats and dogs never missed a meal. In his 20s into his mid-40s, his hobby was participating in competitive Formula One remote-controlled airplane racing-and he was one of the best to do it. He spent weekends at the flying field outside Greensboro, N.C perfecting his craft and then traveling the country to compete on the national stage. Twice he was able to conquer the world’s best and claim the title as national champion-remaining the only one to ever win both Formula One and Quarter Midget in the same year. His success led to a higher demand for him to custom-build planes for fellow flyers, often complete with a paint job so glossy you never knew if it was quite dry. This Passion and success planted a seed in his oldest son, Drew, which has been parlayed into a lifetime career in the aeronautical industry, both as a pilot and mechanic. In his later years, David turned his competitive streak toward golf and pistol target shooting, proving that while he could build a perfect airplane wing, hitting a golf ball straight remained a lifelong mystery. His swing may not have made the highlight reel, but it fueled his youngest son, Lee, to catch the golf bug. As a result, they logged countless hours (and lost balls) on the course together. When David wasn’t running the yard, cussing his golf ball, or shooting at metal cutouts of bad guys, he could usually be found at any number of car dealerships around the state wheeling-and-dealing on his next sports car, or likely cheering on the Carolina Panthers, L.A Dodgers, his beloved Tarheels, or most importantly, whoever was playing against that school in Durham. David is survived by his wife of 36 years and devoted caregiver as his health continued to fade, Vickie Pearce; his sons Drew Pearce and Lee Pearce (Julie); grandson, Bennett Pearce, the undisputed pride of his later years. He also leaves behind a brother, Danny Pearce (Freida); a niece Mandy, and a nephew Demian; and a host of other relatives and friends, human and otherwise. A special mention goes to Shane Champ, who started as part-time help at the yard about 15 years ago and became much more-a trusted friend, a daily partner-in-crime, a human tow truck when David would fall, and the reason Mount Airy Iron & Metal will keep humming after 70+ years. David will be remembered for his wit, his loyalty, his soft spot for animals, and his proud ability to “call it like he saw it”- whether you asked for it or not. He leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, hard work, and proof that even in a junkyard, there’s always a little bit of gold if you know where to look. In lieu of flowers, memorials in David’s name can be made to Surry Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 981, Mount Airy, NC 27030.

Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.