James Pearson

James (Jim) Pearson of Mountain Home, AR, passed away at home on Sept. 27
following a 3 1/2 month battle with cancer. Jim was born in Oxford, AR on July 29, 1936, to Euel and Ruby Pearson. He moved with his parents and baby brother to Oroville, WA, when he was 18 months old. He lived in Oroville until he was graduated from Oroville High School and then joined the Army soon after.

After completing his first stint in the Army, Jim attended Wenatchee Jr. College and Central WA State College, graduating in 1964. He taught school at Monroe Jr. High for one year, followed by 4 years of teaching English at Snohomish High School. While in Snohomish, Jim met and married his wife, Judy, who also taught at the high school. They celebrated 46 years of marriage on June 17, 2012.

In 1969 Jim and Judy moved to Selah, WA, where they both taught school until retirement. In addition to his English classes, Jim served as debate coach, play director, and yearbook advisor. He retired in 1991.

While teaching school, Jim also completed a career in the Army. He re-enlisted in the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1993 as a Master Sergeant after 26 1/2 years of service. During this time he was a team captain and coach of the Washington National Guard rifle team. He was also a member of the All-Guard national rifle team. He served as Military Intelligence Analyst for several years. Jim earned many awards during this time including the Army Commendation medal, Governor's twenty, Chief's fifty, President's hundred and Distinguished Rifleman.

Jim served as an officer for many years in the Washington State Rifle and Pistol Assn, was a hunter education volunteer instructor for the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, qualified as an NRA referee, and was awarded an NRA Lifetime Master ranking in both small bore and high power rifle.

Jim was a lifetime member of NRA and a member of the American Legion. He was an active member of Central Washington SCI as well as the national association of SCI. He was a member of Sun Valley Shooting Park and served on the Board and as Board President for several years.

Following retirement from the classroom and military, Jim embarked on a third career as an outdoor writer/photographer. He wrote many outdoor columns and articles for various newspapers and magazines, including the Yakima Herald-Republic. He qualified for and became a member of several writing organizations including Professional Outdoor Media Assn, Outdoor Writers of America Assn, and Northwest Outdoor Writers Assn. As a member of NOWA he served on the Board of Directors as president and as chairman of the Board.

Jim also wrote and published two books in 2009, a novel called Cliff's Journals and a humor book, A Horse Called Hummer. He had sequels to both books near completion when he received his diagnosis and was too ill since that time to complete them.

Jim was an avid hunter/fisherman and never met a firearm or fishing rod he didn't like. He and Judy enjoyed trips to Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, and Costa Rica among others in pursuit of his hunting/fishing dreams. He enjoyed many of these trips with friends as well and relished his local and near home outings as much as any overseas trips.

In late August, 2011, Jim and Judy moved to Mountain Home, AR, where Jim woke up every morning with the words, "It's another beautiful day in paradise." He fished Norfolk Lake and the White River as much as he could in the short time he lived in Arkansas. He became a Master Gardener and joined the Twin Lakes Gun Club and the Twin Lakes Writers Club. Jim embraced life, stayed active and looked forward to the future. Although his time in the Ozarks was cut short, he enjoyed the adventure as long as it lasted.

Jim is survived, loved and missed by his wife, Judy, of Mountain Home, Aunt Wilma Crane of East Wenatchee, WA, many special cousins including Novelyn and Roy Brandt of Yakima and LaVerne and Lloyd Smith of East Wenatchee, all the Arkansas cousins, and an abundance of close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Dwayne Martel Pearson.

At Jim's request no services will be held. If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks in Mountain Home, AR, or to a charity of your choice.

Special thanks to cousin Paulette and James Dockins of Salem, AR, friends Randy and Kathleen Tiedemann of Mountain Home, AR, and to Hospice of the Ozarks for all you did to help during Jim's illness. Thanks, too, to the many friends who called and e-mailed to lend support and prayers during this time. Both Jim and Judy appreciated each and every one of you.

Arrangements are by Kirby & Family Funeral and Cremation Services.