James Pearson

James E. Pearson, 64, South Range, died Sunday, May 16, 2010 in St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. He was born on August 14, 1945 in Superior to Elmer and Mary (Garrity) Pearson.
Jim’s education started at St. Louis Catholic School in first grade and at the former St. Patrick Catholic School from second to eighth grade and he graduated from the former Cathedral High School in 1963.
Jim was drafted into the Army in October 1965 and served in the Republic of Viet Nam from June 1966 being Honorably Discharged in 1967.
He married the love of his life, Mary Kay Heinritz, on October 20, 1972 in Superior and celebrated thirty-seven years of marriage.
After serving his country, he returned to his job on the Great Northern Railroad. He worked as a brakeman/conductor for forty-three years retiring from the Burlington Northern/Sante Fe Railroad in July 2008.
He was a voracious collector and reader of literature. He collected and read every Pulitzer Prize novel from 1918 to the present, most of them twice.
He placed great value on his friendships dating back to his early years in Billings Park.
He loved his home in the country, and his family beyond anything else. His affair with the written word was only surpassed by his passion for the great game of baseball and the New York Yankees in particular. He loved coaching young kids in this sport.
In addition to his wife Mary Kay, Jim is survived by his two children, Briana (Greg) von Elbe and Tyrus Pearson; his brothers, Joe (Kathy) Pearson, Frank (Mary Sue) Lindstrom and his sisters Charlene (Charles) Connell, Yvonne (Bill) Sullivan and Barbara (Jerry) Carlson.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer Pearson, Mary Lindstrom and Frank Lindstrom and also sisters Mary Pearson and Joan Lindstrom.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM Friday, May 21, 2010 until the 11:00 AM Memorial Mass in Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci, as celebrant.
Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Send a condolence or sign the guest book at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.