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Joseph Carl Pearson, 52

On May 25, 2018, Joseph Carl Pearson suddenly entered eternity to be with our Merciful Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born to William E. Pearson and Florence A. Pearson on July 27, 1965, in Buffalo, N.Y. As a teenager the family relocated to Camarillo, Calif.

Joseph honorably served and was a retired Major in the United States Air Force. He enjoyed God’s creation in Anchorage, Alaska and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He loved to hunt and fish, generously sharing God’s bounty with the poor and disabled. He was a camp host at several campgrounds in Alaska.

Aside from his love of family, his passion was serving Jesus Christ through his active participation and support in assisting at the Holy Mass at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Church. He prepared the bulletin, assisted with translating sermons, and even portrayed St. Nicholas of Myra on his feast day. He also served in prison ministry, bringing Christ to the most disenfranchised. He was a prayer warrior, involved in the 40 Days for Life crusade, ardent about protecting life.

Joseph’s greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. He entertained them in his camper, instilling in them an appreciation for nature and family. His legacy is love, joy and mercy.

He is survived by Angela Brown and their children, Antraneva, Monica and Charlene, as well as Monica’s spouse, Issac Castellon and their children, Guinevere and Carolyn (who smells like maple bars); and Charlene’s children, Rowan and Randi Lee. These children and his grandchildren filled his life with immeasurable joy and he was and will always be their protector.

He is also survived by his mother, Florence A. Pearson; his siblings, Rosemary and Akira Hiruma, Rachel Pearson, Mary Teresa Pearson, Willa and Sean Cahill, Jonathan and Yvette Pearson, Mara Raphael Miller, Timothy and Lisa Pearson, Elizabeth and Joseph Graybill, and Michael Joseph Pearson; as well as scores of nieces, nephews and godchildren whose lives he filled with laughter and delight. Please pray for our military personnel and their families. Pray to St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, for peace, clarity, mercy and perseverance, as well as Angelic protection for all our loved ones.

Joseph is preceded in death by his son Calvin, and his granddaughter, Ripplea. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Marie Jane Pearson; his father, William E. Pearson; his sister, Molly Rose Pearson and his brother, William David Pearson.

Joseph leaves a vast hole in the lives of those who love him. He would instruct us all to seek comfort in the Lord through the sacraments in the Catholic Church.

Prayers and Masses and donations may be gratefully offered in memory of this dear man who was a devoted son, father, brother and uncle. He generously supported the following organizations: St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Church, in Anchorage Alaska; the Norbertine Canoness of Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph, in Tehachapi, Calif. (where he longed to return for a retreat and to do odd jobs to help these holy sisters); and the St. Joan of Arc Parish building fund, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. A Requiem Latin Mass will be arranged at St. Joan of Arc Parish at a later date.

A Funeral Mass is being offered for the repose of his soul at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 4, 2018, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at 919 E. Indiana Ave, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with a Rosary prior to the service. He will be interred at St. Thomas Cemetery on Sherman Ave., with full military honors, after the Mass. The family will have a private barbecue to recall favorite Joe moments (we all have so many!)

Thank you for all your prayers and support during this time. His legacy is his faith, family and love of Christ. Remember his motto is, “life is good!” And one of his favorite quotes is, “be a child with God and because of that, a man in everything else. Be little, very little. Don’t be more than two years old, three years old at the most. Older children are little rascals!” — St. Jose Maria

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Joe’s memorial and sign his online guestbook www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.