Allen Day Pearson, 91, passed away on August 11, 2016, in Bossier City, LA. He was born on July 28, 1925 in Mankato, MN, the only child of Albert Emmanuel and Esther Luella Day Pearson. In 1946 he graduated from UCLA in an accelerated Navy officer war-time degree program in meteorology; married the love of his life, Jacqueline Loretta Naujaks; and was hired by Pan Am Airways as a forecaster in their weather office in Honolulu. In the early 1950s Allen began to work for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Honolulu, including 2 years on Wake Island. Their four children, Jan, Debra, Mark and Sally, were born in Hawaii. In 1964, Allen took a position in Washington, D.C. From 1965-79, he was Meteorologist in Charge of the Severe Local Storms office in Kansas City. He was pivotal in improving early warning systems for severe storms (becoming known as "Mr. Tornado"), including widespread adoption of Doppler radar by the NWS. For many years he was an annual guest on NBC's Today Show to promote early tornado warning systems. He was well respected by colleagues and subordinates alike, and appreciated for his fairness, encouragement and quick wit. He collaborated with Dr. Tetsuya Fujita of the University of Chicago to develop a standardized system (known as Fujita-Pearson Scale) for measuring the intensity of tornadoes, which was used by the NWS from 1971-2007, when it was modified and renamed as the EF Scale. In 1971 he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Department of Commerce for his work in organizing weather defense systems in the greater Kansas City area, and in 1974 he was awarded the DOC's Gold Medal of Honor. From 1979-81 he was Central Regional Director for the NWS, supervising 1100 people in 14 states. In 1981 he retired from the NWS, and worked for a number of years as an expert witness/consultant in weather-related court cases. Throughout his career, he also was an active member of the Air National Guard, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During the next phase of life, Allen and Jackie traveled extensively, and were able to spend more time with their children and grandchildren, who were their greatest pride and joy. In 1985, Allen and Jackie moved back to Hawaii, where they lived until 1990 when they returned to Kansas City. In 1997, they moved to Tucson, AZ, where Jackie died in 2000. In 2003 he married Sally Housmyer, moving to Bloomington, IN in 2006. In 2011 Allen moved to Shreveport, LA, to be closer to his son, Mark. From 2011-14 he lived at The Oaks of Louisiana, and in 2014 moved to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City. The family is very grateful for the wonderful care given to him at NWLVH by all of its dedicated staff, especially Wanda Harris and Dr. Roy Fleniken. Allen is survived by his wife Sally of Bloomington, IN; four children: Jan (Wes McCune), Debra (Jay Eaglstun), Mark (LuAnn) and Sally (Jesse Coon); 10 grandchildren, and 16 great- grandchildren. Military funeral services, including a 21-gun salute and flag ceremony, will be held on Friday, August 19 at 10 am at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, LA. Please visit Allen Pearson's Facebook page to view and post more memories and photos.

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Published by Kansas City Star on Aug. 14, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for ALLEN PEARSON

Sponsored by Kansas City Star.

13 Entries

Thomas Carey

February 25, 2019

I Just discovered that Allen had passed away several years ago. He and I had had several conversations after both of us had retired. In college I was always interest in severe weather. I worked hard to get assigned to work in Kansas City, after bouncing from Weather Bureau in Chicago (O'Hare Field), then radar operator in farther south in Chicago. Kept trying to get an opening in KC, until 3 days after Christmas had a phone call from Central States Office in KC that I could move to KC if I could get there in 10 days because that's where & when the forecaster classes would start at the assumed start of the Severe season. Allen took time out of that class to interview me, and was I glad! Was also anxious to be involved with the 3100 computer there. He was so gracious to approve my efforts to improve some of the output of that system. When a newer type system was developed, he agreed and got the permissions new system (at that time), an AOS system. Every time there was an upgrade available -- Approved, fixes to install - Approved, additional AOS system for backups -- Approved. Thanks Allen, it was a great ride, and helped me so much to continue a career at Oracle. Best wishes to his family.

John Curran

September 21, 2017

Allen Pearson was one of the most influential and memorable persons I worked with during my 40 year career with the National Weather Service (NWS). It has been over a year since his passing, which has given me ample time to reflect on his impact on the NWS and me.

I first worked under Allen from 1968 to 1972 when I worked in the Severe Local Storms Unit (SELS) as an Analyst and Computer Programmer. Allen was a hands on supervisor and influential daily contact was inevitable. I watched his savvy handling of the news media, invaluable training for me later in my career working with the news media as a Meteorologist in Charge (MIC) promoting NWS programs, Storm safety, and defending the nearly indefensible position of the NWS to reduce radar coverage in Indiana during the modernization of the 1990s.

Allen challenged me to utilize talents I didn't know I had as a start up programmer, crunching surface and upper air data from North America for automatic display for the SELS forecasters. (with a computer that had only 16K of memory!) He encouraged his employees, as well as me, to do weather research and produce papers for science conventions. He was a strong "people's" supervisor with a human heart, giving available staff official time off to attend the funerals of employees or their family members. This deeply impressed me and I freely followed his example later as a MIC.

As a Lead Forecaster from '72 to '75 in Omaha, it was a delight to have him call and discuss, one on one, the dynamics of unfolding winter storms and nuances of forecast wording.

Later, Allen was my direct supervisor when I became the MIC at Indianapolis. He had a servant's heart and he, as well as his Regional Office staff, gave the field offices the support they needed to be effective servants of the public we served.

John Curran, Retired MIC
NWS, Indianapolis

1950's - Hawaii

Jan McCune

July 6, 2017

At work in Kansas City

Jan McCune

July 6, 2017

1980's

Jan McCune

July 6, 2017

Jan McCune

July 6, 2017

We sure do miss you, Dad! You were always there for all of us and we love you.

Former NSSFC manager- Allen Pearson, Joe Schaefer, Fred Ostby, Ed Ferguson, Jim Henderson

Dick Williams

August 22, 2016

I worked under Allen Pearson in 1965 and from 1971 thru 1979 when he was Director of the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City. He worked to increase the visibility of the Severe Storms unit and educate the public and media about severe storm forecasts and preparedness.

He was on station and worked alongside the duty forecasters during the April 3rd, 1974 Super Outbreak which killed 319 persons in a broad swath from Alabama to Indiana. The Outlooks and Watches issued by NSSFC and Warnings from local offices saved many lives even in the midst of that tragic toll.

ven in retirement he was a mainstay of the local retiree community. He never really went off active duty and he stayed interested in the NWS family and mission to the end. It was my privilege to know and work with Allen Pearson.

August 16, 2016

Our father worked for Allen at the NWS in KC for many years. He thought very highly of Allen and really respected him. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family. The daughters of Bill Henry

Janice Latvala

August 15, 2016

What a great tribute to a wonderful man.

August 14, 2016

We want to express our sincere condolences to your family. Someone so special can never be forgotten, Love you all!
Sam and Kim Licklider

For the Commanders, Carroll R. Michaud

August 14, 2016

The Final Salute

Brothers in Arms, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged Hand Salutes as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This Hand Salute is the last that we shall render to Allen Day Pearson our Brother-in-Arms. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Allen. And to Allen it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Korean War while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Allen, we commend you for your honorable service. You are a true patriot, who served with honor and distinction. You upheld the finest qualities of an American patriot warrior: courage, commitment, generosity, sacrifice, love and devotion to family and country. You were a true friend. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 961 military veteran Legionnaires of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion and the 233 veterans of VFW Post 2238 in Shreveport, Louisiana, we extend our sympathies and our condolences to Allen's family and loved ones.

Tommy Mills, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 South Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

Charles Livingston, Commander, VFW Post 2238
1245 Gary Street, Shreveport, LA 71101

Brian Wagner Family

August 13, 2016

In memory of our "Papa," whom we loved.

Sally Pearson

August 13, 2016

There are no words I can find to explain this wonderful man who came into my life in 2002. His love and compassion for ALL human beings will never be forgotten, but especially to me. I was blessed. Sally Pearson

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