Francis Pearson, 84, of Troy

Francis (Sonny) Eugene Pearson, 84, joined his beloved wife, Janet, March 12, 2014, in a heavenly eternal embrace.

Sonny was born Dec. 6, 1929, in Libby to Walter and Pearl (Holzheimer) Pearson.   Sonny spent his childhood growing up in Libby and Spokane. He joined the U.S. Army on April 24, 1950, where he served proudly in Korea as a staff sergeant. He received the Combat  Infantry  Badge and the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation for his service from the Department of Defense, American people and the people of Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and proudly carried a copy of his DD214 in his wallet to the day of his passing.

When Sonny returned from Korea he met and married Janet Perry in April 1954 and together they raised seven children in Troy. He worked briefly for Burlington Northern Railroad and then started at J. Neil’s Lumber Co., in Troy. When the Troy mill closed he went on to work in Libby and continued to work for the mill for 35 years, through its ownership changes as St. Regis, Champion and Stimson Lumber.

He is survived by his brothers, Bill (Trudy)  Olsen, Gene (Joy) Pearson and Wally Rice; children, Annie (Frank) Thompson, Deb Blystone, Timothy (Tammy) Pearson, Kenneth (Sandra)  Pearson, Michael (Charmagne) Pearson, Raymond (Tammy) Pearson and Perry Pearson; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janet;  grandson, Franklin; his sister, Geraldine (Gerry) Nelson; and his parents.

Sonny will be laid to rest next to Janet at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the Troy Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Methodist Church in Troy.  

Sonny’s family would like to give special thanks to Legacy Hospice Services of McMinnville, Ore., Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby, Alternative Burial and Cremation of Oregon, VFW Post 5514 of Troy, and the Montana National Guard.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you make a donation to a local hospice facility in Sonny’s name.  

Local arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby.