Paul Pearson

Some people achieve greatness by some notable act, something that is recognized in the newspapers or mentioned on the radio, others like Paul are quiet heroes, whose great deeds are softly given to the people fortunate enough to have them in their lives.

Paul was born on March 21, 1953 in Plainwell, on a beautiful, sunny day to John “Jack” and Clara (Newman) Pearson. Clara had just finished getting dinner ready when it was time for Paul to enter the world. Paul was the third born of eight children and would have plenty of company growing up. Paul had an active mind and a strong interest in sports, he loved to play football but his favorite was running track. Paul was busy with life and studying was not top on his list, he made fair grades in school as a youngster, and later in life would excel at schoolwork. Paul was notably accident prone as a youth and would have to keep electrician’s tape handy to hold his eyeglasses together.

Paul graduated from Plainwell High School in 1971 and went to work for the Plainwell Paper Company, until it closed. In late 1978, Paul met Reva Bos at a party that was designed so Paul and Reva would meet, and it worked. On July 21, 1979 Reva and Paul were married at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, and a wonderful life together had begun. Paul and Reva had three sons and Paul was a great dad, he was always interested in the boys. Paul loved all children and babies, he was known for waking a sleeping child so that he could have some time to play with them. Paul always had room in his heart for the children and was glad to serve as “dad” to nieces and nephews who needed that special love that comes from men like Paul.

After the paper company closed, Paul made the best of the opportunity and went back to school and studied his favorite subject, electronics. Paul would do very well in his studies and after attending, Aquinas, KVCC, and Western Michigan University he received his degree from Davenport in computer technology and went to work for Charter Communications.

Paul loved many things about life, music was a favorite pastime and he loved to share the joy it gave him. Paul was a devoted Christian and lived his life in service to his Lord, and his church, the Allegan Church of God. Paul was interested always in the well being of others. He had served as a “Big Brother” and was a willing listener to the many people he had come to know. Paul was never a stranger to anyone for long, he wanted people to know him as a friend, and he wanted them to know that he cared.

Some people are called heroes for something they have done; Paul was a hero for who he was, the loving husband, the dedicated father, brother, uncle and son. Paul died suddenly on Good Friday, April 18, 2003 and leaves behind a grateful and loving family, his wife Reva, and their sons Matthew, Phillip, and Alex. His parents Clara and Jack Pearson; sisters and their families, Patricia Brown of Otsego, Joan (Thomas) Wallace of Wayland, Janine Gruber of South Haven; brothers, John (Kathleen) Pearson of Oregon, Stephen (Teresa) Pearson of Plainwell, Matthew (Karen) Pearson of Flushing and Daniel (Rebecca) Pearson of Plainwell. Also surviving are 35 nieces and nephews.

The family will meet with friends from 2-4pm and 6-8pm Monday, April 21, 2003 at the Rupert Durham Marshall and Gren Funeral Homes, Plainwell Chapel. A Life Story Service will be celebrated at 11 am Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at the Allegan Church of God. Please leave a memory for the family, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Allegan Church of God or the educational fund for his children.