Gary Pearson
June 8, 1943 ~ August 19, 2021
Gary Curtis Pearson was born on June 8, 1943 in Fargo, ND to Pearl and Gunard Pearson and died on August 19, 2021. He grew up on a farm in Gunkel Township where he attended Rose Valley rural school and graduated from Arthur High School in 1961. He attended Mayville State Teachers College where he played basketball and baseball and was a member of the 1963 Hall of Fame World Series Team.
After graduating from Mayville State in 1966, he married Beverly Alfson. They moved to Grafton, ND where Gary taught Business Education and coached basketball at the high school. His love of sports included years of reffing basketball and playing on several championship fastpitch softball teams for Grafton and other area teams.
As an active member of the Grafton Jaycees, Gary won the North Dakota “Speak-up” competition and developed the national “Road Runner” award. After teaching, he served as a loan officer at the Grafton National Bank. His innovative drive then led him to become the owner/manager of KXPO radio where he covered regional and state sporting events, county fairs, regional weather, as well as initiating community events. He also partnered the development of SOS Office Supply, owned the Grafton Dairy Queen, and was involved with several other radio stations including putting KZZY in Devils Lake on the air.
Gary was a member of AA for over 25 years. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and enjoyed playing pinochle. Spending time with family and friends at the lakes was always a special event. Whether it was at Red Willow, Ortonville, Beltrami, Eunice, or Detroit Lakes, Gary enjoyed softball, waterskiing and pontooning. He also was a member of the Minot Moose Lodge and enjoyed dancing, most recently at Mouse River Park and other Minot area venues with Betty Routledge.
He is survived by his son David (Keleigh) Pearson, Iowa City, Iowa; his brothers Paul (Nancy) Pearson, Minot, ND, Ronnie (Penny) Pearson, Port Huron, MI, sister Bonnie (Steve) Almond, Moorhead, MN; nephews Paul Pearson, Eric Pearson, John Almond, Patrick Almond, and Bruce Pearson; two grandchildren Carter and Berkley, ex-wife Beverly Alfson Pearson; friend Betty Routledge.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and nieces Heather Pearson and Michelle Pearson.
Celebration of Life: Sunday September 5 at 2:00, outdoors at 3034 Prairie Farms Circle S, Fargo, ND. Be prepared to share stories as there will be an open mic for telling your favorite Gary memory. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair for sitting in the back yard ball-park style. Virtual Guest book can be signed through www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Gary’s name to your favorite charity.
Mr. Pearson was well known with my family…wonderful funny guy! My condolences to the family. He will be missed as he touched many hearts along his way.
Cyndi Phelan
Sending my love and hugs to family. I remember my cousin as a handsome young jovial teenager. We were from Port Huron and didn’t get to North Dakota often. I enjoyed reading of his interests and accomplishments. My dad and his mom grew up in a big family of six in Hunter I believe. I would love to attend the celebration. I’ll be there in Spirit.
Love Eileen Nordgren Guckenberger, Cincinnnati
Gary had much appreciation for those around him, and that is what made him memorable to me. I am grateful for that.
Prayers continue for family and the endless line of friends. I always enjoyed the fellowship time with Gary. Powerful discussion on life with a lot of humor injected. Gary is part of my sobriety team and so many others. I’m blessed to have had Gary in my life. He is enjoying the greatest peace and serenity above. Save us a chair at the Big Meeting.
My sympathies to you all!!! I always enjoyed visiting with Gary when he’d stop at my office or run into him downtown.
He got me and some guys to restore a 54 Chevy that kept us out of trouble after school. Been doing it ever since. He was a great guy, He had alot of patience dealing with us crazy kids
I was just apprised of Gary’s death. Please accept my sympathies and prayers to your families.
Have many fond memories of Gary, Bev, Paul and Nancy in early years: HS sports competition, Mayville State days and in the late 60’s as our careers were beginning. It was then our careers took us to other parts of the country. Other than little bits and pieces we lost touch.
As I read Gary’s obit it put in perspective why I liked Gary the person. He was fun, people, creative, dreamer “remember the Ford Edsel”??
Now Gary’s many positive memories will now live on in a new and meaningful way 🙏🙏🙏.
My love to many great memories to Gary and Families.
Bruce Hill
I will always be grateful for Gary’s smile, humor and sharing during our fellowship meetings. Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
Sympathy to the Pearson family. Gary was well known to all of us in Grafton. I am sure he will be missed.
I competed against Gary in college sports. Then I was a teammate on amateur basketball, baseball and fast pitch softball teams. Blessed be the memory of Gary.
We are sure going to miss seeing you and Betty dancing at Mouse River Park and in Minot, Nd. We shared alot of laughs and good times on our dancing adventures.
You and Betty always cleared the floor with you fancy footwork. Rest in peace our friend,
Dance with the angels, until we are all together again one day.
Corrine Krueger & Steve Pedersen
I will miss Gary’s gift of sharing his experience, strength, and hope with me and many others.
My condolences to family and friends of Me. Pearson.
Running into Gary while in Grafton in the past years was always made up of smiles, humor and uplifting. He had a gift to make a person feel that there was good things coming. My prayers for his whole family.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Gary and his extended family. We played a lot of fastpitch softball together from 1972 through 1975 in Grafton. Gary was one of the nicest guys I have ever met and one heck of an infielder. The world lost a good man. I have many fond memories of Gary and that whole team, Condolences from Mary and I.
I remembr Gary playing Legion baseball with Jim. Gary could really pitch. Very sorry for the loss of a fine person.
Gary hired my mom to work for him at his first radio station in Grafton ND in the early 1970s. She continued to work for him until after I graduated from high school in the mid 80s. I literally grew up hanging around the radio station – Gary always had a story and he always a job for you to do if you were willing to work! He created excitement and fun where ever he was and everyone loved Gary! He was a wonderful mentor to so many and will be missed . My condolences to David and Bev- and the entire Pearson family.
My condolences to David and the entire family! I enjoyed my visits with Gary during David’s playing days. He was a proud Dad and impressive hearing all the things he did and accomplished during his life. So sorry for your loss!
So very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing!
i first met Gary through the KXPO broadcasts so when I met him in person, it was the “voice” recalled!! An upbeat, energetic, charismatic, outreaching, athletic guy who’s jitter bug couldn’t be matched!!! So sorry for the loss of a man who truly ignited the environment around him!!!
My condolences to the Pearson family. Gary was friendly and always had a story to tell. I appreciate him very much. Rest in peace Gary! God bless you and yours.