SGM (RET) James William "Jim" Pearson

SGM (RET) James William "Jim" Pearson, 92, of Junction City, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Faith Lutheran Church with burial following the service at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association, Faith Lutheran Church, or the V.F.W.

Jim was born June 7, 1930, in Clarksdale, Missouri, the son of Walter Edward and Cora Arletta (Nevitt) Pearson.

Jim entered the United States Army in 1947. After basic training and AIT, he was assigned to the 505th Parachute Regiment/82nd Airborne Division. He also received Special Forces training. During his thirty-one-year career, he was assigned to various state side and overseas duty stations. During this time, he served various tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. He was wounded in both wars and awarded the Purple Heart in both theaters. He officially retired from the United States Army in 1978.

After his military career, he worked for Woolworth's and later Footlocker until 1992. He also worked as a part-time bailiff for the Geary County District Court in Junction City, Kansas.

Service to his community was very important to Jim. He was a member at Faith Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School and served on the church council. He also delivered Meals-on-Wheels with his wife Millie for twenty five years. He enjoyed volunteering at Eisenhower Elementary School, his granddaughter's school.

Jim was a strong family man. He enjoyed traveling to spend time with extended family. He had a great sense of humor and a very quick wit. Jim loved military history and was an avid reader with an incredible memory. He was an avid sports fan following the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and any other sporting event that he could find on television. He was a proud member of the American Legion, V.F.W., and the Order of the Purple Heart.

On January 19, 1952, he married the love of his life, Mildred "Millie" Jean Pearson. She passed away May 6, 2019.

Survivors include one son, Michael James Pearson of Manhattan, Kansas; one daughter, Alicia (Pearson) Martindale and her husband Jeffery of Sioux City, Iowa; four grandchildren, Dawn O'Neill and her husband John of Randolph, Massachusetts, Jessica Jackson of Joplin, Missouri, Matthew Bruton and Andrew Bruton; six great-grandchildren, Alyvia Jackson, Tyee Jackson, Ian Bruton, Zoe Bruton, Faye O'Neill and Liam O'Neill; one brother-in-law Don Angeldorf; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Millie Pearson; one daughter, Vickie Senrud; one granddaughter, Lindsey Seefeldt; one sister, Virginia Bryan; four brothers, Calvin Pearson, Charles Pearson, Norman Pearson and David Pearson.