Lewis Merrill Pearson

Lewis M. Pearson, 87, a resident of Falls Church, VA died at a local hospice center on November 29, 2018 of complications from the treatment of cancer. The eldest son of Leslie W. and Clithroe Pearson, he was born on May 5, 1931 in Biddeford, Maine. Lewis graduated from Deering High School in Portland and the University of Maine at Orono. After serving on active duty in the Army, Lew continued to serve in the Army Reserve, retiring at the rank of Major. He had a long and successful career with the General Services Administration working during the Reagan and Bush administrations as the Director of the Facilities Management Division for the White House and associated buildings. Lew oversaw the renovation of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his personal life, Lewis and his wife Marjorie "Marge" Coffin Pearson were very involved in the Washington Chapter of the Maine State Society, both serving a number of leadership posts and being awarded the Big "M" award for dedicated service to the society. While with the society, Lew and Marge were two of the original dozen volunteers to begin laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery around the holidays. That event, now called "Wreaths Across America" draws thousands of people from around the country to lay wreaths at veterans' cemeteries around the world. Lewis was predeceased by his parents, his wife, his brothers Merton A. and Tristram W. and sister Apphia J. Pearson. He is survived by close long-time friend Jane Phillips of Seattle, Washington, numerous nieces and nephews and many devoted friends. Family and friends are invited to the visitation on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 5-7pm at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA. Lewis will be buried next to his wife at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Sheri Lauten Van Someren, Assistant Treasurer, The Maine State Society Scholarship Foundation, 1075 South Jefferson Street, Apt. 206 Arlington, VA 22204.