THOMAS RICHARD PEARSON

Pearson, Thomas Richard

Thomas Richard Pearson (Richie, Tom, Dick) was born at home in Santa Ana, California to Lois and Leslie Pearson, on July 11, 1923. Richie grew up with his oldest sibling Mildred and big brother Stan. He received his public schooling in Santa Ana, attending Santa Ana Junior College, and went on to the University of California, Berkeley for three years before his entry into World War II. He enlisted in 1943 and was assigned to the Army Air Corps. He installed radio communication towers guiding countless pilots safely throughout the South Pacific.

Upon retuning home, Richie married his sweetheart, Joyce Hubbard (Jo) of Santa Ana, CA. Richie went on to finish his degree in Sales and Marketing from USC in 1946. The newlyweds lived in San Bernardino and then moved to Whittier, California. Richie worked at Conrad and Pearson, 3-M, and American Seating Company during the next 10 years.

In 1958, Richie took a job with Educators in Tacoma, Washington as a sales supervisor. The family relocated to Two Rivers, Wisconsin in 1965, where Richie took a position in senior management with Hamilton Manufacturing Company. He worked there for twenty years and attained the position as president of the company.

Richie and Jo retired to Mission Viejo, California, where they lived for the next 30 years. He became involved in the Casta Men's Golf league and the Casta Walking Group. Richie took up whitewater rafting with his family and spent weeks on the waters throughout Idaho. In the last years of Richie's life, he became very involved in his local VFW and Veteran's Club. He volunteered his time in support of both active service and wounded veterans.

Richie was a loving family man and friend. He set a wonderful example to live by and will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife Jo; daughters Melissa (husband Charlie) and Deidre (husband John); and grandchildren Zach (Hilary), Ethan (Medenne), Matthew and Bryn; and four great grandchildren. His entire family will never forget him.

A party will be held in his honor on Saturday, January 23, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Vista Room in Casta Del Sol.