Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

James Anthony Pearo, Jr (Jim), 73, of Edgewater, MD, passed away on March 21, 2022. Jim was born in Minneapolis, MN to James Anthony Pearo and Rosena Nina (Rossi) Pearo.

Jim fondly recalled memories of being a toddler in the cold country, playing with cousins, and walking with his Great Grandpa Louis around Minneapolis. When Jim was about 4 years old, the family moved to Washington, DC, then Adelphi, and later Beltsville (Calverton), MD.  

Jim graduated from High Point High School’s Class of 1965 and went on to graduate from the University of Maryland in 1969. During his college years, Jim worked as Page to U.S. Senator Phillip A. Hart. 

Following college graduation, Jim earned a prestigious slot into the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. Jim attained the rank of Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant and was one of only a handful of Marines to complete US Army Ranger school.

Upon completion of his military commitment, Jim returned to the DC area to attend The American University Washington College of Law. Jim graduated law school in 1985.  During his law school years, Jim worked in the DC Court System and then served as the Jury Commissioner in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. He was the first Jury Commissioner to adopt the “One Day, One Trial” jury system that is now commonplace throughout the United States. Jim was invited to Harvard Law School to teach on this innovative jury system. 

In 1985, Jim founded Chesapeake Title & Escrow and co-founded National Title & Escrow, specializing in estates, transaction and contract law related to real estate, property law and the formation of business entities. He loved what he did and had no interest in retiring. 

Jim was known to be bold and courageous, and proudly wore his Marine gear until his dying day. A life-long athlete, he held a black belt. He played football and baseball recreationally, and loved golf outings. He never lost faith in the Washington area sports teams. Due to his fun-spirited and compassionate nature, he made wonderful, lifelong friends. Furry companions provided constant joy to Jim in all his adventures. Much of Jim’s strength and generosity came from his growing faith and his love of The Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jim is survived by his wife and best friend, Rebecca Ramsey; his mother, Rosena; brother, Louis Roy; sister, Anne; and daughters, Jacquelyn Pearo Allen (Kevin) and Nicole Pearo Taylor (David) and their mother, Jim’s first wife, Elizabeth; and four grandchildren, Alexa and Zachary (Jacquelyn & Kevin) and Isabelle and Morgan (Nicole & David). He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, John and beloved father, James Anthony. Jim is remembered and cherished by a large contingent of family relatives, cousins, and friends that have become family. 

Family and friends will celebrate Jim’s life on Saturday, April 23, 2022  from 2 p.m. until Jim’s funeral service begins at 4 p.m. at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. Final interment at Arlington National Cemetery will occur in the fall. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10307 or online using this link: <a href="https://www.t2t.org"> Tunnel to Towers Foundation. </a>

Online condolences may be offered using the Memories tab on this page.

James A. Pearo, Jr.

James A. Pearo, Jr.

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