Melvin Jay Pearson

Melvin Jay Pearson was born in Choteau, Montana, on November 1, 1937, to Louis William and Elva May Packer Pearson. He departed this life on April 15, 2018, at the family home in Archer, Idaho, of aggressive Parkinson's Disease.

He came home to three older brothers and later welcomed two more brothers and five sisters. It was a large, fun, farm family who learned to work hard, play hard, and love and enjoy each other.

After graduation from Greenfield School and Fairfield High School, he attended BYU in Provo, Utah, until leaving to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweden, the land of his Grandfather's birth. Upon returning home, he joined the Montana Air National Guard. He returned to BYU and graduated in 1967. He started teaching Industrial Arts at O.E. Bell Jr. High School.

While living in Idaho Falls, he met and married Karen Justesen. The were married on May 24, 1968, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They moved back to the family farm in Montana and were there for 22 years. While in Fairfield, their four children were born. They later moved to Washington state and later to Rexburg, Idaho.

He worked as a teacher and handyman, but his love was the land and the farm.

He has served faithfully in the church his whole life. He served as Home Teacher where he only missed one month of visiting his families. He also served in the Bishopric, Sunday School President in several wards, teacher and in the Scouting Program, and as a Ward Clerk for over 20 years.

He leaves behind his wife, Karen, of Rexburg; children, Paul Jay (Ramona Curtis) Pearson of Ucon, Jeri Louise (Jon) Johnston of Rigby, Melanie (Adam) Sullivan of Rigby, and Glen Andrew Pearson of the family home. He is also survived by siblings, Robert (Alene) Pearson of Lehi, Utah, George (Sharon) Pearson of Fairfield, Fava (Tom) Evensen of Choteau, Montana, Nancy (Deloy) Denning of Spanish Fork, Utah, Marian (Theo) Green of St. Ignatius, Montana, Walter (Marilyn) Pearson of Fairfield, Charles Pearson of Billings, Montana; a sister-in-law, Anna Pearson of Manti, Utah; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harold; two sisters, Clara and Helen; and a sister-in-law, Janis Pearson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20, at the Archer/Sunnydell Chapel, with Bishop Blake Schwendiman of the Archer Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., both times at the chapel. Interment will be in the Sutton Cemetery under the direction of Flamm Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to the family at www.flammfh.com.

The family would like to thank those who have been so supportive during this last difficult week, Alliance Hospice, Dr. Beesley, the Archer Ward, and our family across the world.