Delmar Pearson lived a life filled with numbers, but it is impossible to quantify his impact on his family and community during his 99 years. He passed peacefully on January 6, 2019 at Cottage in the Meadow.
Born on August 3, 1919, in a white farmhouse off of Kern Way, Yakima, Washington to his parents Loran and Ethel Pearson. He graduated from Yakima High in 1937, Yakima Valley Community College, and the University of Washington in 1941 and while pursuing a law degree at the University of Washington WWII broke out. He joined the Army Air Corps and served in various locations teaching celestial navigation. He returned to Yakima after the war and joined Boyd Olofson, CPA Firm, becoming a CPA in 1946, which he retained until 2016 becoming the longest license in Washington State.
Generosity and joy came easily to Delmar who always sought to leave a place better than he found it. He served on many community boards, including President of the Chamber of Commerce, on the board of Yakima Valley Community College, National Camp Fire Girls, Kiwanis Charitable Trust, The Capitol Theatre Committee, The Yakima Valley Museum, and many others. He and Ellen, with great pleasure, donated the land that became a beacon of hope for so many children and families, Memorial’s Children’s Village.
He loved fishing and boating throughout the Northwest, Alaska and Canada with friends, arrowhead digging along the Columbia River with his family and friends, celebrating the 4th of July with cherished friends at both the Shields and Dorsett Cabins. He was actively involved in the career of undefeated Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, owned by daughter Karen and Mickey Taylor. In later years, he traveled the World with Ellen to Africa, Asia, Russia, Turkey, and Germany and after her passing Scotland and Cuba with his children.
Delmar was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Ellen Pearson, his sister Ruth Pearson Alcorn, and niece Mary Rogers. He is lovingly survived by his 4 children, Karen (Mickey) Taylor of Yakima, Lori Franklin of Yakima, Ardy (Jerome) Brown of Seattle, and Delmar Jr. (Sheila Gott) Pearson of Lexington, KY, his 6 terrific grandchildren, Tory and Eroyn Franklin of Seattle, Miles and Zachary Brown of Seattle, Alex Pearson of Hoboken, NJ and Nicolas Pearson of Lexington, KY, and his nephews Craig (Jan) Mendenhall and Greg Rogers.
The family will hold a joyous celebration in recognition of his 100th birthday, on August 3, 2019!
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Virginia Mason Children’s Village, Kiwanis Charitable Trust or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
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