Meredith "Gene" Pearson

Meredith ‘Gene’ Pearson, 86, Kokomo, died the evening of Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo surrounded by his family.  He was born on August 1, 1935, in Logansport Indiana, son of Audrey Alice (Collins) and Harry Raymond Pearson.  He married Marceda June Deardorff on December 18, 1955, at the First Baptist Church in Kokomo Indiana. 

He graduated from Western High School in 1953 and continued his education at Ball State University graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and was on the track team. He completed his Master’s Degree from Butler University in 1962.  Gene began teaching in 1957 at Burlington High School in Carroll County where he taught history and also coached baseball, track, and junior high basketball.  He then moved to Clinton Central School Corporation from 1958 to 1965 as a history teacher and also coached cross country, track and junior high basketball.  Gene returned to his alma mater, Western High School, in 1965 and served in school administrative positions including Guidance Counselor, Athletic Director, Vice Principal, and Principal as well as taught driver’s training.  In his 26 years at Western, he continued his involvement with sports by coaching cross country, track, and girls’ basketball.  He also was an entrepreneur and opened his own business, Pearson Trophies.  

Gene was involved with several organizations, Russiaville Lions Club where he was President in 1969/1970, Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, Indiana State Teachers Association, National Education Association and Howard County Hall of Fame Committee.  He was a member of St Luke’s Methodist Church where he was active in the FaHoCha Sunday School Class.  He also served on the Administrative Board at St Luke’s and was a Trustee.  

Upon retirement Gene remained active by volunteering at St. Joseph Hospital.  He also enjoyed going to car shows - showcasing his 1957 Chevy, collecting sport cards, and digging into his family genealogy.  He loved all sports and even authored a book about the “History of Western Howard County Boys Basketball”.  He liked spending time with his family and friends as well as traveling and listening to country music. A few people stand out as being life-long friends, Tom and Irma Dinwiddie, Roger and Martha Goings and Forrest and Joanne Edwards.  

Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marceda and his two sons, Rick Pearson (Debra) and Greg Pearson (Marsha Sanders) and grandchildren Tyler Evan Pearson, Audrey Ann Pearson, Madison Alexandra Pearson (fiancée Kit), Matthew Austin Pearson (girlfriend Lindsay), and Thomas Gene Pearson (fiancée Evelina).  One great-granddaughter, Kai Esley Pearson.  Four additional family members Cameron Sanders, Nolan Sanders (Ashley) and baby Theodore.  Along with brother-in-law John Deardorff and several nephews and a niece. 

Family members that have preceded Gene in death are his sister Mildred ‘Mick’ Chapman, brother-in-law Richard ‘Dick’ Chapman, sister-in-law Leonette Deardorff, his parents, as well as Raymond Wyant, who Gene considered his brother. 

 Friends may visit with the family from 4 - 8 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, Indiana. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, with Pastor Scott Pattison officiating.  Burial will take place in Sunset Memory Gardens.  Memorial donations can be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana or to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

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