Obituary: John "Gordy" Pearson

Originally Published: March 9, 2010 7:30 p.m.

John "Gordy" Pearson was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Dec. 20, 1918, to John and Myrtle Pearson. He was called home to be with the Lord March 6, 2010, and is predeceased by his parents and sister, Evelyn.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Lee; and three children, Rita (Roger) Brammer of Prescott, Bruce (Penny) Pearson of Palo Verde, and Steven (Michele) Pearson of Prescott. He enjoyed his eight grandchildren, Lisa Larson, Brianne Pearson, Brenda Powers, Nicole, Rachel and John Pearson, and Ryan and Ashley Pearson. In addition, he has two great-grandchildren, Anika Larson and Braden Pearson. John is also survived by his sister, Marlys Pearson-Purdy; and nieces Susan Pletkovich, Nancy Purdy-Swenson and Michele Karpesh.

John graduated from Central High School in St. Paul, Minn., in 1936 and attended the University of Minnesota before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He served his country as a B-25 pilot from 1942 to 1945, responsible for weather reconnaissance for the invasion of Normandy. Upon his discharge from the service, John was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and retired in 1973, when he moved from Burbank, Calif., to Prescott.

John was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Burbank, Calif. He was also a member of Elks Lodge #330, American Legion Post #78, and served as the Men's Club President and handicap chairman at Antelope Hills Golf Course in Prescott. John sang with the Prescottones Barbershop Chorus, enjoyed bowling and playing bingo with Lee, and golfing with his sons and son-in-law. He took pride in his sons' and son-in-law's business ventures, helping out wherever he could. He was part of the Meals on Wheels delivery team in Prescott Valley and later became one of their clients.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Peridot, Hospice of the Pines and Golden Leaf Care Home for their loving care of Mom and Dad.

A private family graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 25767, Prescott Valley, AZ 86312.

Heritage Memory Mortuary assisted the family.

Information provided by survivors.