Gary Curtis Pearson was born on June 8, 1943 in Fargo, ND to Pearl and Gunard Pearson and died on August 19, 2021. He grew up on a farm in Gunkel Township where he attended Rose Valley rural school and graduated from Arthur High School in 1961. He attended Mayville State Teachers College where he played basketball and baseball and was a member of the 1963 Hall of Fame World Series Team.
After graduating from Mayville State in 1966, he married Beverly Alfson. They moved to Grafton, ND where Gary taught Business Education and coached basketball at the high school. His love of sports included years of reffing basketball and playing on several championship fastpitch softball teams for Grafton and other area teams.
As an active member of the Grafton Jaycees, Gary won the North Dakota “Speak-up” competition and developed the national “Road Runner” award. After teaching, he served as a loan officer at the Grafton National Bank. His innovative drive then led him to become the owner/manager of KXPO radio where he covered regional and state sporting events, county fairs, regional weather, as well as initiating community events. He also partnered the development of SOS Office Supply, owned the Grafton Dairy Queen, and was involved with several other radio stations including putting KZZY in Devils Lake on the air.
Gary was a member of AA for over 25 years. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and enjoyed playing pinochle. Spending time with family and friends at the lakes was always a special event. Whether it was at Red Willow, Ortonville, Beltrami, Eunice, or Detroit Lakes, Gary enjoyed softball, waterskiing and pontooning. He also was a member of the Minot Moose Lodge and enjoyed dancing, most recently at Mouse River Park and other Minot area venues with Betty Routledge.
He is survived by his son David (Keleigh) Pearson, Iowa City, Iowa; his brothers Paul (Nancy) Pearson, Minot, ND, Ronnie (Penny) Pearson, Port Huron, MI, sister Bonnie (Steve) Almond, Moorhead, MN; nephews Paul Pearson, Eric Pearson, John Almond, Patrick Almond, and Bruce Pearson; two grandchildren Carter and Berkley, ex-wife Beverly Alfson Pearson; friend Betty Routledge.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and nieces Heather Pearson and Michelle Pearson.
Celebration of Life: Sunday September 5 at 2:00, outdoors at 3034 Prairie Farms Circle S, Fargo, ND. Be prepared to share stories as there will be an open mic for telling your favorite Gary memory. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair for sitting in the back yard ball-park style. Virtual Guest book can be signed through www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Gary’s name to your favorite charity.
After graduating from Mayville State in 1966, he married Beverly Alfson. They moved to Grafton, ND where Gary taught Business Education and coached basketball at the high school. His love of sports included years of reffing basketball and playing on several championship fastpitch softball teams for Grafton and other area teams.
As an active member of the Grafton Jaycees, Gary won the North Dakota “Speak-up” competition and developed the national “Road Runner” award. After teaching, he served as a loan officer at the Grafton National Bank. His innovative drive then led him to become the owner/manager of KXPO radio where he covered regional and state sporting events, county fairs, regional weather, as well as initiating community events. He also partnered the development of SOS Office Supply, owned the Grafton Dairy Queen, and was involved with several other radio stations including putting KZZY in Devils Lake on the air.
Gary was a member of AA for over 25 years. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and enjoyed playing pinochle. Spending time with family and friends at the lakes was always a special event. Whether it was at Red Willow, Ortonville, Beltrami, Eunice, or Detroit Lakes, Gary enjoyed softball, waterskiing and pontooning. He also was a member of the Minot Moose Lodge and enjoyed dancing, most recently at Mouse River Park and other Minot area venues with Betty Routledge.
He is survived by his son David (Keleigh) Pearson, Iowa City, Iowa; his brothers Paul (Nancy) Pearson, Minot, ND, Ronnie (Penny) Pearson, Port Huron, MI, sister Bonnie (Steve) Almond, Moorhead, MN; nephews Paul Pearson, Eric Pearson, John Almond, Patrick Almond, and Bruce Pearson; two grandchildren Carter and Berkley, ex-wife Beverly Alfson Pearson; friend Betty Routledge.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and nieces Heather Pearson and Michelle Pearson.
Celebration of Life: Sunday September 5 at 2:00, outdoors at 3034 Prairie Farms Circle S, Fargo, ND. Be prepared to share stories as there will be an open mic for telling your favorite Gary memory. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair for sitting in the back yard ball-park style. Virtual Guest book can be signed through www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Gary’s name to your favorite charity.