Mr. Benjamin Vincent (Ben) Pearman, Jr., age 83, of Covington, Virginia, died Thursday, October 30, 2014, at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke.

He was the husband of Ellen Pearman Pearman.

Mr. Pearman was born June 1, 1931 in Bedford County and grew up in Pulaski, the son of the late Benjamin Vincent Pearman, Sr. and Josephine Burks Pearman.

He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1955. While at Virginia, Mr. Pearman worked as a telegraph operator for the Norfolk and Western Railway and was also a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Upon graduation, Ben relocated to Covington, where he worked at Westvaco for his entire thirty-eight year career, retiring in 1993 as a supervisor in Coating and Additives.

Like most of his family, his storytelling ability was legendary. Ben was known for insisting on real cedar Christmas trees and placing a large carved pumpkin on the chimney each Halloween.

He was an avid golfer his entire life and was a founding member of Alleghany Country Club and Hidden Lakes Golf Club in New Smyrna Beach, Fl.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Mr. Pearman was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and as senior warden over the years. His favorite pastime was dancing with his wife, Ellen, at the Elks and Moose Lodges in Virginia and Florida. A wonderful family man, Ben was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.

In addition to Ellen, his wife of thirty-two years, Mr. Pearman is survived by a daughter, McLauren Foster and her husband, Jim of Nashville, TN; a son, Ben V. Pearman, III of Bent Mountain, VA; two grandsons, Jon Benjamin Foster and Jesse MacGillvray Foster of Nashville, TN; two brothers, John M. "Jack" Pearman and his wife, Lee of Pulaski and Robert S. "Bob" Pearman and his wife, Jean of Grottoes, VA; and a nephew, John G. "Gil" Pearman of Waynesboro, VA.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Pearman was preceded in death by a nephew, Christopher Pearman.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2014, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with Rev. Robert "Bob" Gilman officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorial tributes be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 138 N. Maple Avenue, Covington, VA 24426 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.