Ove L. Pearson

Ove L. Pearson

Ove passed away peacefully with family members by his side on April 14, 2011 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on February 3, 1928, the son of Swedish immigrants Edward Pearson and Emma Olson, and raised in Portland, OR. Ove graduated from Benson High School and attended OSU. In 1950 he married the love of his life, Helen Jacobs. After just three weeks of married life, Ove was called to active military duty. Serving in the US Marine Corps as a forward observer during the Korean conflict, he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart and a Gold Star. At the time of his honorable discharge, Ove had attained the rank of Sergeant. Together Ove and Helen raised 6 children, spending summer vacations camping and exploring the Pacific Northwest from their home in Portland. They relocated to Renton, WA in 1976 where Ove continued to work for Western Electric Company until he retired in 1985 with over 35 years of service. In 1984 they established Pearson’s Nursery in Kent, WA and for the next 16 years ran a successful retail greenhouse business specializing in fuchsias, begonias, annuals and water plants. Ove generously shared his knowledge and love of plants with the many customers who returned each year to buy beautiful blooming flowers. Ove was an outgoing, gregarious family man with many interests and hobbies including fishing, hunting, traveling, raising Koi and tropical fish, as well as growing orchids. He was the hybridizer of eight internationally registered varieties of fuchsias. Over the years he shared his enthusiasm and joy of life through membership in many organizations including: Nobel Lodge 184 – Vasa Order of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Madeleine Parish, Central Catholic High School Ram Boosters, Gateway Elks, Hollywood Lions, Portland Rose Festival Association, Junior Achievement, Pacific NW Fuchsia Society, American Fuchsia Society, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and St. John’s Parish Garden Club. Ove was a devoted husband, wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Helen Pearson, children Steve Pearson (Cathy), Janet Pearson (Gordon Sivley), Laure Patrick (Rik), Paula Sutherland, and John Pearson (Claudia Holum), as well as grandchildren Dave (Amy), Emily (Ben), Mike, Chelsie (Darron), Chris, Rachel, Stephanie, Anne, Patrick and great grandchildren Dane, Cole, Jakob and Taylor. A private family burial was held in Portland, OR. A memorial Mass and celebration of his life is scheduled for May 23, 2011, 11:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church, 25810 156th Avenue S.E., Covington, WA 98042. Remembrances to Green River Community College Foundation Natural Resources Fund (253) 288-3330.

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