Stephen F. Pearson

1949 - 2020

Stephen Flynn Pearson

December 5, 1949 - May 5, 2020

Gibsonville

Stephen Flynn Pearson, 70, of Gibsonville, died peacefully surrounded by his family, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Ali and Tom LeBlanc. Rev. Wayne Whitley will officiate.

Steve was a loving father, grandfather and loyal friend and golf buddy to many. His sense of humor, willingness to help others and strong moral compass was felt by all who knew him.

After growing up in Gibsonville, Steve headed for the coast of North Carolina, the place he loved best. He spent his best years in Atlantic Beach, boating, deep sea fishing, playing golf, and shag dancing. He fished the widely known Big Rock Tournament many years and wished everyone could know the feeling of reeling in a blue marlin. Steve built his own fishing boat in the early 1990s while also working in the furniture industry of eastern North Carolina for thirty years. He later returned to the Piedmont where he worked the last decade of his forty-year career in furniture sales at FurnitureLand South. He then began to work handcrafting beautiful furniture as a hobby in his years of retirement as well as improving his golf game.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of Steve's journey on this earth was the lung transplant that he so graciously received in 2010. He described this time as "a second lease on life," and lived both happily, actively, and healthily far longer than he could have ever dreamed. Because of the gift of organ donation, he was able to celebrate both a high school and college graduation, walk his youngest daughter down the aisle, and be present for the birth of two more grandchildren. Steve spent many days at Duke University Hospital over the decade of his transplant and would like to personally thank several special providers who cared for him in such a remarkable way that both he and his family will never forget; David Zaas, MD, John Reynolds, MD, David Brizel, MD, John Hillson, RN, and Jason Webb, MD.

Steve is survived by his children, Stephanie Lassiter and husband, David, Ali LeBlanc and husband Tom; grandchildren, Dawson Lassiter, Pierce LeBlanc, and Anna Sloan LeBlanc; loving dog companions, Opal and Hazel.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents George Woodrow and Opal Flynn Pearson; a very special aunt, Mary Lou Isley and a host of several aunts and uncles.

Flowers are welcome, and with a heartfelt life changing act of love, please consider becoming an organ donor.

Condolences directed to Joyner's Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.