Ronald Pearson

Ronald Louis Pearson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away September 17, 2013 of heart failure.
Born December 16, 1929 at home in Salt Lake City to Carl Iver Pearson and Marie Josefina Johanson Pearson.  Married Ann Luella Ackley in 1952; later divorced in 1974.  He then married Janice Idell Allen on September 22, 1976.
Ron was the 12th of 13 children.  He was a hard worker from the very beginning.  He began working at the age of 12 at Jensen Poultry where he handled and delivered eggs.  He also worked at Stewart Coal Company where he unloaded railroad cars of coal.  He worked there for 1 ½ years.  At age 16, Ron worked at Interstate Brick unloading brick off the belt and stacking the brick onto palates.
Soon after graduating from high school, Ron signed up with the Navy for 4 years.  He trained in San Diego and went to Kodiak, Alaska and Adak Island where he refueled tankers and did guard duty.  He only served from 1948-1949 and got out on a dependant discharge to return home to care for his ailing parents.  He not only cared for them, but also gave half of his money from his jobs to help them financially.  With money he was able to save, he bought his first car in 1935, a Ford black rumble seat.  He shared it with his brother, Ivan.
In 1953 he was employed at the Utah Oil Company (UTOCO) Refinery as a laborer, moving to the warehouse, then as a mechanic and then finally as a pipefitter.  He started out making $1.50 an hour.  When he left the refinery he made $10.70 an hour.
In 1959 Ron built a home on half an acre in Holladay.  He paid $2,700 for the land and the house cost $17,000 to build.  He resided in this home until his last days of life.
Not only was he a hard worker, he was also a devoted family man.  He had 6 children with his first wife, 1 daughter with his current wife and 3 step-children.  He worked so hard to support his family.  His greatest accomplishment was that his children and step-children have done so well in life.
In January 1980 he suffered a heart attack and went on disability retirement.  He started golfing in 1983 and enjoyed it until a few years ago when he started having issues with seeing the ball as well as his feet.
In July 1990, his wife Janice suffered a massive stroke.  He devoted his life to taking care of her.  He vowed that he would take care of her until the day he died.  He fulfilled that wish to her.
Survived by wife, children, Ron Parker (Geneva), Larry Ross (Lisa), Bret Lane (Premy), Kaylynn (Bill) Wardell, JoAnn (Jeff) Edgington, Mandy Michelle (Mike) Seaman, daughter-in-law, Sue Pearson, step-children, Roger Abbott, Brian (Elvira) Abbott and Chad Abbott, 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, and brother Ivan (Doris).
Preceded in death by son, Colby Louis Pearson, grandchildren, Ryan Pearson and Mikelle Seaman.
Graveside services will be held Monday, September 23, 2013, 12:30 p.m. at Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 East 7800 South.  A visitation will be held Monday, prior to services at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S.) from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any US Bank branch in the name of Ronald L Pearson Memorial Fund.

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