Pearcey, a native of Greenville and graduate of Greenville High School, graduated from Troy University with a BA in English and a minor in journalism.

He started his newspaper career as sports writer with the Troy Messenger and was then promoted to sports editor a few months later. He followed with two years of service in the non-profit sector as a publications editor before returning to Boone Newspapers.

Pearcey also served for four years in the U.S. Navy stationed on the U.S.S. George Washington in Norfolk, Va.