Gary Pearson (1947 - 2008)

Born 23 Jan 1947 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Ancestors

Died 5 Oct 2008 at age 61 in Dearborn, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Pearson [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Pearson Name Study.

Gary Pearson served in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War
Service started: 1968
Unit(s):
Service ended:

Gary Pearson was the sonWilbur Pearson and Sylvia Bessette. When Gary was born on January 23, 1947, in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, his father, Wilbur, was 27 and his mother, Marie-Irene-Lorette-Silvia Bessette, was 28.

He married Florinda Adreana Decina on December 4, 1971, in Dearborn Heights, Wayne, Michigan. They had four children during their marriage.

Gary lived in Detroit in 1947 and in Dearborn Heights, Wayne, Michigan, United States for about 25 years.

He registered for military service in 1968 and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves on the U.S.S. Princeton during Vietnam.

Gary died on October 5, 2008, at the age of 61, and was buried in St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights, Wayne, Michigan.

Obituary: Detroit Free Press "Age 61, October 5, 2008. Beloved husband of Linda. Dear father of Brandi, Marlys, Adrienne (Rob) Steger and Gary Ryan. Grandfather of Kellen and Enza. Best friend of Morgan. Dear brother of Brian (Karla), Mark (Barb), Sue (Chuck) Johnson and Diane. Visitation Thursday 2-9 p.m. at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster (between Ford and Cherry Hill). In state Friday 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass at Saint Dunstan Catholic Church, 1515 Belton (2 blocks west of Inkster, 2 blocks south of Ford Rd.)."

Eulogy - REMEMBERING GARY PEARSON, 1947 - 2008 Written by Sue Pearson. "Good morning everybody. Thank you all for coming. While this is a sad day for all of us, it is also one of celebration of a life well lived. My brother Gary was born in 1947 on the east side of Detroit to Bill and Sylvia Pearson, just after the end of World War II. He was the oldest of five children and could do no wrong as far as our parents were concerned. After I was born, our family moved to what was then Dearborn Township - a new suburb on the west side of town. The trees were newly planted saplings and there was no telephone service yet. In an emergency, Mom would walk down to St. Bernard’s Monastery to make a telephone call.

Always very hard-working, Gary had a large paper-route as a boy. We were often recruited to help him, especially if he had a game to go to (or if it was raining), but we were happy to do so. It was fun to be with him. At this point, his only object was to acquire comic books and baseball cards. Later that would change to a house, cars and occasionally things like on-line trading. Always the athlete, he had a passion for every sport in the book. As kids, we played baseball and football in front of our house - the house with the crooked tree, until a few of the neighbors with broken windows asked us to stop. Gary was always an adventurous kid. Reminiscent of the film “Christmas Story,“ he got a BB gun for his birthday. It might even have been a Red Ryder. To improve his aim and indulge in every boy’s childhood WWII fantasy, he shot plastic army men in the backyard; and, again the occasional neighbor’s basement window. His marksman career was put on hold after he came home one day with a dead pheasant from Hines Park. My father and Gary were cleaning the bird down in the basement when the police arrived. He also had a mischievous sense of humor. As Diane recently recalled, he used to chase us around the backyard with snakes, and then the snakes would surprise us in the flower beds later on. In high school, he once reminded an elderly, hard-of-hearing nun of his presence by blowing off an occasional firecracker in class. He loved hanging out with the guys from St. Al’s in one of his two red and white Dodges with the big fins. They were both known as the “Bear’s Lair.” With his nickname “Bear” and athletic build, Gary always looked out for us at parties. He instinctively knew when it was time to leave and would come round us up. He would try to avoid fights but would stand firm if he thought his friends and family were threatened. He introduced me to many of his friends and we even double dated on occasion. As a matter of fact, at his senior prom, his date wore a dress that resembled a modern day hoop skirt. Gary being unable to determine where her center of gravity was, proceeded to pull out the chair to where he thought she was going to land only to see her end up on the floor. Gary loved sports. As a kid, he loved to play baseball, football and hockey and proudly received a baseball scholarship to college. He didn’t finish college but entered the Naval Reserves and served on the USS Princeton during Vietnam. While it wasn’t the happiest experience in his life, he did get to travel to Thailand, the Philippines and other exotic places while on leave. While in basic training, he got the chance of a lifetime to try out for the Baltimore Orioles. I remember him talking about going to the Orioles recruiting camp with poison ivy from maneuvers, throwing about one pitch and then getting released to return to the Navy. While disappointed, he was always grateful that he had the chance to try out. Gary didn’t always achieve his goals, but had the courage to do more than just dream of something. He attempted what others might not. He married Linda in 1971 and was the proud father of four children - Brandi, Marlys, Adrienne and Gary, and proud grandfather of Kellen and Enza Steger. We also have to mention his faithful dog Morgan, who was a loyal companion to him after he had a stroke. He enjoyed being with his family, whether it was a trip to Disney, camping out, going at church, or just having a barbeque and watching the fireworks. The other day Brandi recalled how they often biked around the neighborhood and went to Grandma Pearson’s house every Halloween, and how much Grandma and the kids looked forward to it. Gary recently remarked what a thrill it was that the kids took him to a Tiger baseball game on Father’s Day. Gary worked for Ford Motor Company for over 30 years and believed in giving back to his community. He coached sports teams for his brother Brian as well as his kids and was active in his church. His last 10 years were difficult for him. At times, he wasn’t quite himself as he learned to cope with the fact that his left side was paralyzed. One of Gary’s favorite heroes Vince Lombardi once said, “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.” I think that is how he lived his life. Although he had set backs, he never gave up. We all loved and will miss our big brother very much."

Written by: Linda (Decina) Pearson "As someone once told me, we are only visitors on this earth. We have to make the best of whatever comes our way while we are here. As for Gary, he was a visitor for only 61 years here on earth. Gary was a kind and caring person. He loved his children Brandi, Marlys, Adrienne and Gary more than life. He was also a proud and loving Grandfather to Kellen and Enza who unfortunately will never know his love. As some of you know, baseball was the world to Gary. He loved playing the game and coaching it, whether at little league, high school and travel ball. Gary was also president of the Dearborn Hi-Hopes Stroke Club. Every Tuesday, he looked forward being with the wonderful men and women at the Club. Sure there are always ups and downs in our lives, but Gary always pullled through, except for nine and a half years ago, the Gary we knew changed. Gary was not the same, he couldn't throw a ball, run or ride his bike. But the constant thing in Gary's life was just his children, he always thought about his family and friends. I thank the many old and new friends who took time to visit with Gary. I'd especially like to thank Vic Martin who came every Sunday for years to sit with Gary and talk baseball and also Joe McCracken who took time to take Gary to lunch or bring lunch and take him to ball games. And to Rick, Jerry and Butch Forystak who also drove him to appointments. You'll never know how much he appreciated the kindness you gave him! I thank my family and Gary's family for their love and understanding. And also all of you who have come to pay respect for Gary, who lived his life to the fullest before and after his first stroke. "A man is not a failure who has the love of family and friends." Gary your visit on earth has ended, but your life in heaven has begun. You left four wonderful children and two adorable grandchildren. I know we wanted to grow old together and watch over them, but I guess God wanted you more, but that's ok because if you can't be here you will be happy with God watching over us. So Dear Gary, you go ride your bike, run, throw the ball and play the game you love in your field of dreams. Love Always."

Sources

• Susan L. Pearson, sibling

• "United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (ark:/61903/1:1:6FSG-S421 : Sun Jan 29 21:08:43 UTC 2023), Entry for Wilber Pearson and Sylvia Pearson, 12 April 1950.

• "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KYMG-G44 : 28 June 2021), Gary Pearson, 1973-2009.

• "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJJV-82J6 : 13 June 2020), Gary Pearson, 1998.

• "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJLL-2SSQ : 9 March 2021), Gary Pearson, 2005.

• "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JGGX-B48 : 12 January 2021), Gary Pearson, 05 Oct 2008; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

• 2008: Gary Pearson, "United States Social Security Death Index"

• Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179946773/gary-pearson

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LRT9-YPX

• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/101924773/person/250012410023/facts