Brian Pearson

William "Brian" Pearson, Jr.

Born: October 26, 1971, in Olympia, Washington

Parents: Linda J. Cross Shoemaker and William B. Pearson

Died: December 2, 2025, in Tumwater, Washington

Cause of death was an automobile pedestrian accident.

A memorial service will be held at Saint Michael Church (1208 11th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501) on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:45 AM. Burial will follow at 2PM at Oddfellows Memorial Park in Tumwater.

He is preceded in death by his beloved sister Lisa Pearson, his stepfather Dennis Shoemaker, grandparents Ken and Jane Cross, Merna Pearson, Tut Pearson.

Brian is survived by his mother Linda (Cross) Shoemaker, Father, William (Bill) Pearson and stepmother Charlette Pearson, stepsisters Denise Shoemaker Ikerd (Lance), Jenni Shoemaker Cowsert (Sage), nephews Jordan Ikerd (Brienna), Steven Pearson, Taz Ikerd (Angel), Justin Pearson, Brayden Cowsert and Riley Cowsert and a very large extended family.

He was a resident of Tumwater and Olympia his entire life.

Brian attended Micheal T. Simmons Elementary, Tumwater Middle School and graduated from Tumwater High School in 1990. Beginning in 1991 he attended Clover Park Technical College where he received his degree in Automotive Repair with a specialty in technology.

Brian came into the world as the first of many precious grandchildren in a huge loving family. He had a gentle demeanor and tender heart from the start, with an especially soft spot for his baby sister, Lisa. As he grew, he brought joy to his family with his generosity and a sparkling sense of humor. He honed his prankster skills through adulthood with the enthusiastic encouragement of his incorrigible uncles.

Brian's joyful nature also brought others into his circle. He had his first crush on a girl in kindergarten and perpetually thereafter. He was surrounded by close friends who stayed together from grade school through high school. His other true love was cars. This infatuation also started early; he entertained his family by identifying make and model from when he was a toddler.

From 1993 through 1995 he was married to Tammy Bates.

On October 15, 1995, a car accident left him with a traumatic brain injury and a very long journey to be released from medical facilities. With relentless determination he re-learned to walk and speak and even got his driver's license back. He then spent the next 7 years looking for a job. Brian was hired by Skookum Industries and worked on large military vehicles at JBLM until 2014. The highlight of his employment was when he was flown to Indianapolis by NISH (an organization for people with profound disabilities) and awarded the 2011 Abilities National Achievement Award. (He also got to tour the speedway.)

An additional brain injury in 2017 severely limited Brian's mobility and left him needing a wheelchair or scooter to get around. Still, he persisted in being out and about as much as possible. Many people recognized him from the time he spent on his scooter, on the bus, and on the streets in Tumwater.

As happens with many people who have profound disabilities, Brian's world got much lonelier, eventually mostly interacting only with family. In March 2025 he began receiving assistance from Gunner, an amazing caregiver through KWA. The contact brought him joy and friendship that he had been missing (as well as a clean apartment and easier shopping).

Brian, we will always be proud of your perseverance and thoughtfulness and grateful for the joy you brought into our lives.

We miss you.