Meredith “Gene” Pearson | obituary

Meredith ‘Gene’ Pearson, 86, Kokomo, passed away on the evening of Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo, Indiana, surrounded by her family. He was born on August 1, 1935 in Logansport, Indiana, the son of Audrey Alice (Collins) and Harry Raymond Pearson. He married Marceda June Deardorff on December 18, 1955 at First Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana.
He graduated from Western High School in 1953 and continued his education at Ball State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1957. He was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and part of the track team. He received 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 field and junior basketball. He then joined the Clinton Central School Corporation from 1958 to 1965 as a history teacher and also coached cross country, track and field, and junior basketball. Gene returned to his alma mater, Western High School, in 1965 and held school administrative positions including guidance counselor, athletic director, vice principal and principal, as well as driver training. During his 26 years at Western, he continued his involvement in the sport coaching cross country, track and field and women’s basketball. He was also an entrepreneur and opened his own business, Pearson Trophies.
Gene was involved in several organizations, the Russiaville Lions Club, of which he was president in 1969/1970, the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, the Indiana State Teachers Association, the National Education Association and the 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 board of St Luke’s and was a director.
In retirement, Gene remained active by volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He also enjoyed going to auto shows – showing off his 1957 Chevy, collecting sports cards and digging into his family genealogy. He loved all sports and even wrote a book on “Western Howard County Boys Basketball History”. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends as well as traveling and listening to country music. A few people stand out as lifelong friends, Tom and Irma Dinwiddie, Roger and Martha Goings, and Forrest and Joanne Edwards.
Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marceda; 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 other members of the Cameron Sanders family, Nolan Sanders (Ashley) and baby Theodore; with brother-in-law John Deardorff and several nephews and one niece.
Family members who 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, whom Gene considered his brother.
Friends may visit family from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 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 Davidson officiating. Interment will be at Sunset Memory Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Messages of condolence can be left online at www.stoutandson.com.