Donald C. PEARSON

1944 - 2022

A kind, thoughtful, and generous man, a brother, uncle, and friend to many, left us on February 17, 2022. Having had years of health-related issues and cancer treatments, he died in the ICU at Sacred Heart Hospital despite the efforts and care of his dedicated nurses. Always one to be positive and to rally following setbacks, he thought he would again have more time, but it was not to be.

Don Pearson was born in Spokane on June 23, 1944, to Reinhold (Lefty) Pearson and Alma Holstein Pearson. He attended Hutton Elementary School; Lewis & Clark High School, graduating in the class of 1962; and Gonzaga University, graduating in 1966, including an adventurous year with Gonzaga-in-Florence, Italy, where his love of architecture, art and beauty were enhanced and where he made friends for a lifetime!

As a child, Don was shy and lacking in self-confidence; but he was always interested in people, and he had his place among all the kids in the neighborhood! He didn't always find change and new experiences to be a good thing, as was evidenced by his valiant but unsuccessful escape plan from Camp Reed. At about the same time, Don's love of houses surfaced in his backyard, where he built houses out of huge cardboard boxes. Always an industrious worker, he got jobs mowing lawns in the Rockwood neighborhood, admiring the houses and getting to know the owners. From an early age he was interested in Spokane's history and the lives of the city's founding fathers. This knowledge and the stories he told (always interspersed with "Am I talking too much?" and "Do you really want to hear this?") made him a hit at many dinner parties later in his life!

At the age of 14, he met Mrs. Bullman, an antiques dealer who gave him a job all through high school, taught him how to refinish furniture, and instilled in him a love of beautiful antiques, which he collected for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Gonzaga U. with a degree in Psychology, Don spent his working life first at Spruce Canyon Boys' Ranch and then with the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services in Child Protective Services for over 40 years, during which time he impacted the lives of many children, families, and foster parents, as well as those with whom he worked. Rarely taking any vacation or sick leave days himself, he gave them to others in his office who needed them. He also hosted an annual work retreat for his co-workers every summer at his Coeur d'Alene Lake house.

Don took wonderful care of his mother! Nearly every weekend in the summer, he took her up to the lake. In her declining years, he took her to dinner every night. When her dementia worsened, he slept on her sofa, because she didn't want to move but couldn't stay alone at night.

Not only will Don be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his love of houses and antiques, his stories of Spokane's history, and the dandelions in his yard, but also for the fact that he ALWAYS insisted on paying for your meal if you were going out to eat with him!

Nobody could have had better friends or have been a better friend than Don! Wherever he lived or worked, he developed relationships with neighbors and co-workers who loved him and appreciated him as he did them, and for that we are grateful.

Don is survived by his brother, Jack Pearson, and his sister, Pam Senske (Mike L.); nieces and nephews, Doug Pearson, Kim Cathcart (Chip), Michael A. Senske (Jennifer J.), Andrew Senske (Jennifer L); grandnieces and nephews, Andrew, Lauren, Isaac, Aidan, Olivia, and Owen Senske, Maddie and Erik Cathcart; several cousins; and a host of friends!

A Memorial Service for Don is planned for later in the Spring.