John Pearson

John Vernon Pearson was born in Billings, Montana on November 28, 1955, and passed away in Missoula on September 22, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. 

John’s early childhood was spent in Billings, later moving to Missoula, where he attended Whittier grade school and graduated from Hellgate High School.

John enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard. He attended officer candidate school in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He proudly served our country for several years, achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 

John spent nearly his entire civilian career working in Montana’s lumber mills and was an active member of the labor union for much of his career. 

He worked at Champion-Intermountain in Missoula, Northern Cheyenne Pine in Ashland MT, Smurfitt-Stone Container in Frenchtown from 1991 until its closure and finished his career at the Tricon/Idaho Forest Products mill in St Regis.

John was married to Carol Miller from 1976 to 1998.

John was naturally athletic and in his younger years enjoyed playing sports and always loved to watch. He was a diehard fan of Montana Grizzly Football, holding season tickets for many years and traveling across the country to watch the team play. One of John’s final memories was watching the Griz’s comeback win this past Saturday. 

He had a soft spot in his heart for animals, especially dogs. 

John is proceeded in death by his grandparents, his father Lyle Pearson, mother Virginia Moon, Step-father John Moon, and sister Myrna Moon. 

John is survived by his sister Candace Clark (Dick) of New York Mills, MN, brother Lyle “Beaver” Pearson (Joyce) of Wichita, KS, sons Bob Pearson of Missoula and Riley Pearson (Kaylee) of Absarokee and daughter Elizabeth Brewer of Dillon, Grand-children Zeb Pearson (Carli) of Florence, and Racie Pearson of Missoula, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. John had many lifelong friends in the Missoula area; Carol Bessette, Brent Shaffer, Don Meuchels, and Carol Miller were all very supportive of John in his final months. 

A memorial gathering will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, September 29, 2024 beginning at 3:00pm.

In leu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to the Missoula Humane Society at 5930 U.S. Hwy 93 S, Missoula, MT 59804 or to The UM Foundation at Adams Center 139, Missoula, MT 59812

The family would like to extend its thanks to the medical staff at St Patrick’s hospital in Missoula for their care.