Daniel Tigar Pearson

1953 - 2026

Daniel Tigar Pearson
04/04/1953 - 02/27/2026
Daniel Tigar Pearson
Whether plumbing a straight line in the construction of thousands of Central Texas homes for a half century or lining up a tee shot or putt playing golf since he could pick up a club or just enjoying his family and many, many friends, "Danny" Pearson was one of a kind.
And he knew how to have a good time while sharing his generous spirit. His funny one-liners might inspire or give pause, but they were always from his heart. Repeating a few here might be fun, but leaving controversy behind is more fitting for this remembrance.
Daniel Tigar Pearson of Lago Vista, a 1971 graduate of McCallum High School and known to many in Austin and surrounding communities, passed away February 27 after a lengthy illness. He was 72.
Reflecting on Dan in his younger years, some in his family spoke about his "beguiling" nature – one with a "delightful presence, a bit mischievous, full of energy, amusing to spend time with and quite charming."

One of five children, Dan chose to go into a trade as a plumber, quickly rising to journeyman and later becoming a master in craft who helped build thousands of homes from Northwest Hills to South Austin and from Central Texas to Maine. He loved his work and mentored many young people just starting out in the trade.
"Dan gave me my start," said Jacob Lantz of Lantz Plumbing. "It was 2002, 24 years ago when he had his own business. I worked for him for six years. He had so much experience and was willing to share his knowledge. He trained a lot of kids like me and, as a mentor, gave a lot of them a good career."
But it wasn't always so easy. The construction trades went through a period of about 30 years from about 1990 to 2020 when young people were unwilling to go into construction. It had been widely believed college was the only ticket to success. Dan rejected that, despite the struggles he endured as a contractor. He kept plumbing that straight line for the benefit of homeowners and home builders alike.
Other straight lines Dan loved were scratching the numbers of a lotto ticket and watching his beloved Texas Longhorns advancing up the field to the end zone.
Dan's worldly views were evolutionary. As a teen and very young man, Dan was a "low-spark-of-a-high-heeled-boy" hippie with his almost blinding long, blond hair and flash of a peace sign. In his later years, he was a staunch conservative distrusting of government and other institutions he felt too often abandoned those in true need.
His sometimes tough-guy exterior did not fool anyone who knew him, as they often described him as "sweet," kind and caring.
"He was an all-around good guy," said Tenna Harm, his "partner in life." "He was a good neighbor and friend to everyone who knew him. He had so many people who loved him."
Dan enjoyed his regular trips to the Frio River and vacations to Washington in the Pacific Northwest, visits to Maine and his regular rounds of golf with his brothers and golfing buddies. His daughter, Lindsey, who he had with his former wife Donna Pearson-Liles, was a lifelong source of personal pride.
Daniel Pearson was predeceased by his father and mother, Anthony and Priscilla Armstrong "Wissy" Pearson. He is survived by his daughter Lindsey Pearson; his partner Tenna Harm, her daughters Brandi Beasley and her husband Jeff of Liberty Hill and Tonya Walicke and her husband Rick of Collierville, Tennessee; Tenna's grandson, Jacob; and three brothers and a sister, Chris Pearson of Lakeway; Mark Pearson and his wife Christy of Cedar Park; Mike Pearson and his wife Kelley Shannon of Austin; and Joy Pearson Piscopo and her husband Michael Piscopo of Heath, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.