John Wallace Pearson

Oct. 13, 1919 - Aug. 18, 2013

John Wallace Pearson was born Oct. 13, 1919, in Lovell to Wallace E. and Mille Stadsvold Pearson and died August 18, 2013 at the age of 93. He was fondly known most of his life as “Jack.”Jack graduated from Lovell High School in 1937, where he excelled in sports, especially basketball. He worked for a year before attending college. Jack went on to play basketball for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and majored in business, graduating in 1942; and is likely one of the oldest members of the University of Minnesota Letterman’s Club. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.Jack met Lorraine Nordquist, who would later become his wife, while they were both attending the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation from UM Jack served in the U. S. Army Air Corps flying B-24 airplanes; he trained pilots, navigators and bombardiers and reached the rank of first lieutenant. He really loved flying prop airplanes. He and Lorraine were married on Oct. 6, 1944, at Langley Field, Va., and they spent the remainder of his military years moving from base to base, enjoying each new move.When Jack was discharged, he and Lorry moved back to Lovell where he joined his father in the 1st National Bank of Lovell, where he worked until his retirement in 1989. He became the president and chairman of the board. He had great fondness for all the gals who worked for the bank over all his years there.He was active in many areas of the community - both Lovell and Wyoming. He served as president of Wyoming Bankers Association, two terms as president of the Lovell Chamber of Commerce, 20-plus years on the North Big Horn Hospital Board and 20-plus years on the Lovell School Board, was a member of Wyoming State Board of Education for 11 years, was treasurer of the Wyoming Republican Party and served as Republican precinct committeeman for Lovell until he was in his 80s.He was one of the early members of the Wyoming Street Athletic Club, a lifelong member of the Lovell United Methodist Church, a 66-year member of American Legion Post 11 and was one of the promoters of the Rose City West senior living facility where he served as a board member until his death.He and Lorry enjoyed traveling: in the fall to the northeast to view the fabulous fall colors, in the winter to the southwest where the weather was warmer – their golf clubs always accompanying them.He also enjoyed his coffee buddies with their daily high-minded, philosophical and profound conversations. Exploring the beautiful Big Horn Mountains in the early years and enjoying their view from his backyard in the later years were highlights of his life.Most of all, he loved and enjoyed his family: daughter, son and spouses; two grandchildren and spouse; and his three great-grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His dry sense of humor was always present and he enjoyed a good laugh. He had a wonderfully long and active life and he will be missed immensely.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine; his sister, Frances, and her husband Clark Burrell; his brother, David; and his brother-in-law and wife, Tom and Linda Nordquist.He is survived by daughter Judy (Don) Richards and son Jeff (Chris) Pearson all of Lovell; granddaughter Stacey (Anthony) Mullins of Texas; grandson Don Richards of Cheyenne; three great-grandchildren: Brittany, Brooklyn and Brenn Mullins, all of Texas; his sister-in-law Dorothy Pearson of Colorado; brother-in-law and wife Carl and Donna Nordquist of Minnesota and many nieces and nephews.He also leaves behind step-grandsons Dan Russell (Robin Elliott) of Arizona, Matt (Christy) Russell of Cheyenne and Doug (Lara) Russell of Montana and step-great-grandchildren Alexandria, Zachary, Colton, Brietta and Rylan Russell.Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at the Lovell United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s name to the Lovell Library or North Big Horn Hospital Foundation.