Stephen Mark Pearson

Steve Pearson passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2009, in Sedona, Arizona.

He was born October 24, 1954, to Mabel (Olsen) and David Pearson, the third of six children, in Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in Middleton, Port Washington, and McFarland, Wisconsin, and finished high school in McFarland. He attended UW Eau Claire for one year, then relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to finish his undergraduate degree.

He had the soul of an adventurer and spent his adult life pursuing his ambitions. He learned to pilot a plane and used his expertise at flying to great advantage. He literally flew from the Rio Grande to the bush of Alaska over the years in a variety of jobs associated with flying. He taught his father to fly as well. Steve loved the outdoors: sailing, hiking, canoeing, and motorcycling.

Steve had an uncanny ability to be successful at a wide ranging series of occupations. He worked as a gas company meter reader, railroads switchman, commodities trader, sold ornamental dried plants, school teacher, MCSE certified network technician, EMT, horse wrangler, home remodeler, and a pilot. It was as a self-employed pilot that he found the greatest job satisfaction. At the time of his passing he was pursuing a nursing degree.

However, all of his other accomplishments pale in comparison to his true love - his wife Karen and their three lovely daughters: Claire, Kaycee, and Kilee. He was a wonderful father who loved seeing his daughters grow up and succeed at their endeavors. He had such pride in their accomplishments. Steve and Karen (Dostal) married on June 13, 1992 and subsequently had their three daughters: Claire Michelle (1995), Kaycee Rose (1998), and Kilee (2007). His family was his source of inspiration and pride.

Steve is survived by his two sisters, Pegge (Billy) Butenhoff of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Judith (Kyriakos) Vavarapis of Athens, Greece; and three brothers Dave (Cindy) of Madison, Wisconsin, Bill (Kris) of Denver, Colorado, and Tim (Lori) of Morgantown, West Virginia.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mabel and David Pearson.

Dave was a true visionary and his courage and love of life knew no bounds.

We love you Steve - we are truly blessed to have had you in our lives.