Thomas Pearson

Thomas L. Pearson passed away on March 22, 2015 after living a full and happy life. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 505 N. Pennsylvania Ave., on Wednesday April 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his best friend and loving wife Betty Ward Pearson, two children Michelle and her husband Greg, and Dan and his wife Peggy and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Proceeding Tom in death and there to welcome him home is their son Steve, Tom's parents, and five siblings.
Tom married his childhood buddy in 1950 and they began a 65 year adventure together. Tom was a happy family man, loving husband and great dad. Tom took an active part in their children's lives in Cub and Boy Scouts troops, Little League baseball, football, band, swimming, and gymnastics. Providing for his family was of the utmost importance to him.

Tom was born on the family farm in Pearisburg, Virginia on March 13, 1923 to Daniel Cecil and Senah Fry Pearson. He was the youngest of six children. In 1926, the family moved to Roswell where his father had been appointed Superintendent of New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). Tom was raised with the rhythms and discipline of military life. This upbringing provided him with a strong sense of family, love, duty, dedication and honor that would define his character for life, and be evident to all who met him.

After graduating from Junior College at NMMI, Tom attended Tank Destroyer OCS at Camp Hood, Texas. After serving his country with honor, he was released from duty in 1946 with over three years of active service including a year and half in India. Soon after, Tom continued his education at the University of Colorado where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. He began his career as a "roughneck" on the offshore rigs of Louisiana, employed by Exxon Oil Co. Tom spent the next 37 years with Exxon as a Petroleum engineer stationed along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas and retired doing oil well permitting and environmental compliance. He was a prominent member of the engineering team that designed Exxon's first self-propelled, semi-submersible drilling platform, the "Alaskan Star".

Tom enjoyed many hobbies through the years including gardening, tinkering and fixing anything broken, deer and dove hunting, "jitterbug" dancing, and helped with displaying the beautiful art objects Betty created. He took pride in his workmanship: if it was worth doing, it was worth doing right.

Tom retired in 1986, and he and Betty returned to Roswell where they had grown up, and immediately became involved with old and new friends. They rejoined St. Andrew's Episcopal Church where Tom served as a member of the Vestry and was instrumental in designing their Columbarium. They joined the Chaparral Rockhounds to comb the surrounding areas of New Mexico for fascinating rocks and gems. They had many adventures with the Wilderness Hikers where Tom helped plan and lead hikes and other activities; he was also an active member of the Roswell Historical Society.

Tom had many stories to tell and enjoyed showing relatives and friends about the town and particularly the Institute. He was a very patriotic man, flying the American flag every day at their home. Tom's strong character and dry sense of humor will be missed by those who knew him.

Tom enjoyed a good joke, laughing, a good hot cup of coffee, music and revisiting memories. Roll on Tom, with the "tumbling tumbleweeds" and we know you'll find a good cup of "java jive" in heaven. Don't drink it all; save some for the rest of us, we'll join you later.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of La Villa, and the staff and caregivers of Gentiva for their kindness and support.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that you support the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) Foundation - Pearson Scholarships, 101 W. College, Roswell, NM 88201 or a charity of your choice.

Service

Memorial Service

St. Andrews Episcopal Church
505 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
10:00 am

Cemetery

Ballard Crematory
910 S. Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

101 W. College Blvd.
Roswell, NM  88201