News & Resources
We are saddened by the loss of James Norman Pease, Jr. who served as firm President from 1976 to 1989. We celebrate his life, his committment, and his humor as we walk the halls, both at the office and around the region, that he helped to create.
Mr. Pease, 87, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at his home. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.
Norman was born August 21, 1921, the son of the late Col. James Norman Pease and Eddie Hunter Pease of Charlotte. He was predeceased by his beloved sister, Anne Pease Gaskell. He attended the public schools of Charlotte and Scarsdale, NY, before graduating from Charlotte Central High School in 1939. He studied architecture at North Carolina State University and Auburn University, where he received his bachelor's degree in architecture.
Upon returning to Charlotte, Norman joined our firm, which had been founded by his father. For the following years until his retirement in 1989, Norman helped build the firm to become one of the most respected architectural practices in the state, winning numerous awards. Among the many projects that Norman either designed or directed are First Union Tower, Charlotte Observer Building, Duke Power Computer Center, the North Carolina Center for Public Television in Research Triangle Park, Mt. Airy Passive Solar Library, and Camp Grimes Boy Scout Camp. In addition, Norman directed the design of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, including Marshall Park and the 1030-car parking deck, which received five design awards; ten projects on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, including biomedical research facilities for the School of Medicine; the master plan for Central Piedmont Community College, including the design of nine major buildings on campus; and the master plan for Queens College, with ten buildings on campus, including the Dana Fine Arts building and Albright Dormitory. Early in his career, Norman's design of the Home Finance Company in Charlotte won the first design competition sponsored by the North Carolina American Institute of Architects (AIA).
He served as president of both the Charlotte section of the AIA and the North Carolina chapter and was elected to the College of Fellows of the AIA in 1969. In 1988, he was given the great honor of being the first recipient of the Kamphoefner Prize for Architectural Excellence, given by the NC Architectural Foundation. The award recognized his consistent devotion to furthering the development of contemporary architecture.
Norman is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Carson Jones, along with their three children and spouses, James Norman Pease III and Sidney Walker Pease of Atlanta, GA, Carson Pease and her partner, Sandy Evans of Mineral Bluff, GA, and Edwin Jones Pease and Emily Wheatley Pease of Williamsburg, VA; five grandchildren, James 'Jay' Norman Pease IV and wife Catherine of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Joshua Walker Pease of Atlanta, GA, Lillian Swetenburg Pease of Brooklyn, NY, Mae McAlister Pease of Winchester, VA, and Edwin Hunter Pease of Blacksburg, VA; two great-granddaughters, Darby and Carson Pease of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and his beloved cousin, Jule Hunter McLauchlin of Greensboro, NC.
Norman will always be remembered for his priceless sense of humor, his kindness to all who knew him, and his love of music. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His family was the most important part of his life.
Memorials may be sent to Myers Park Presbyterian Church or the J. Norman Pease, Jr., Scholarship Fund, UNC-C Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Norman's caregivers during the last months of his life, Corinthia Pauling, Nora and Carlyer Houston, Nettie Jankee, and Marion Clark.
