Roger Allan Pearson died in his home in Great Falls, MT on November 6, 2017 from natural causes. He was 64.
Roger was born on August 3, 1953 in Havre, MT to Allan and Shirley Pearson of Big Sandy, MT. He graduated from Big Sandy High School with the class of 1972. Roger grew up living, playing and loving sports (it was in his blood). He went on to play college basketball at Williston, ND. He moved back to Big Sandy where he helped with the family farm and raised pigs and had a spraying business with his brother for many years. He had many agricultural jobs in his early years. (it too was in his blood). Roger worked for General Mills for almost 20 years before finding the new adventure of working as a TSA Supervisor in Great Falls in 2001. He was part of the traveling team to help airports transition to TSA standards over the eastern part of the U.S. He was always quick to remind his family about the cities he stayed in and experienced, when seeing the sites again on TV.
Roger retired early from TSA in 2010 to follow his wife, Karolee, around as a traveling nurse, mostly in the western and southern U.S. He was her driver to see new sights and again experience different locations while on the road. The past few years Roger loved the warmer weather in the winter in Yuma, AZ.
Roger married Karolee (Ophus) on April 26, 1980 and again in 1988 "guess it was just meant to be!" They had two children, Alyssa Johnson of Middletown, DE and Calon (Carissa) Pearson of Kansas City, KS. He was so proud of the adults they had become and cherished his time with them. Besides his kids, the other "apples of his eye" were his grandchildren, Kaysa and Kai Johnson. Watching them grow and blossom in school and activities the few times during the year for visits, were the highlights of his life.
Roger enjoyed fishing and camping with family for most of his married life, fishing the Walleye Circuit Tournaments for many years with his wife. Karolee can relay how upset he'd get when "she knocked the big one" he had caught, off with the net during those tournaments! He also enjoyed the traveling, golfing, bowling, hunting, dancing, flying, playing pinochle (again in his blood!) with family, and cheering for his kids and many nieces and nephews at sporting events over the years.
Roger is survived by his wife of 37 years; children and grandchildren; mother, Shirley Pearson of Big Sandy, MT; brothers Ronnie (Gay) and Robin (Cinda) both of Big Sandy, MT, and Randy of Great Falls, MT; sister Alandra (Bill) Hill of Miles City, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Allan; sister, Kathy; and his grandparents.
A funeral service was held at Christ Lutheran Church in Big Sandy, MT on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with burial at Big Sandy Cemetery..
The family asks that memorial donations be made to Big Sandy Booster Club or Big Sandy Lutheran Church.
Let Me Go
We've known lots of pleasure,
At times endured pain,
We've lived in the sunshine
And walked in the rain.
But now we're separated
And for a time apart.
But I am not alone
You're forever in my heart.
Death always seems so
sudden,
And it is always sure.
But what is oft' forgotten
It is not without a cure.
There may be times you
miss me.
I sort of hope you do.
But smile when you think
of me,
For I'll be waiting for you.
Now there's many things for
you to do,
And lots more ways to grow,
So get busy, be happy and live
your life.
Miss me, but let me go.
Anonymous
When God saw you getting
tired
And a cure was not to be
He put his arms around you
And whispered come to me
He didn't like what you
went through
And he gave you rest
His garden must be beautiful
He only takes the best
And when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful and free from pain
We wouldn't wish you back
To suffer that again
Today we say goodbye
And as you take your final rest
That garden must be beautiful
Because you are one of
the best.
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