Richard O. Pearson

Wasilla resident Richard (Dick) O. Pearson, 59, died Feb. 17, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A celebration of life will be held at the AM Vets Post 9 Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. There will also be a service at O’Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney, Neb., on March 6 at 10 a.m. His cremated remains will be interred at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Neb.

Dick Pearson was born on Aug. 18, 1950, in Holdrege, Neb.

Dick served in the Army from June 1970 to January 1972 and was stationed in Korea. He was a life member of the AM Vets Post 9, the American Legion and a founding member of Valley ABATE.

He enjoyed trucking, motorcycles, NASCAR and reading.

According to Dick’s family, “Dick was loved by many and will be missed by all for his kindness, his generosity and his great sense of humor. Those who knew him well have been blessed by having him in our lives, though too short of a time. Dick was a terrific support for Sammy Brady and took him in the truck for a day of work. This is how Sammy will remember him.”

He is survived by his wife, Carol Mills of Wasilla; mother, Beverly Pearson of Kearney; mother in-law, Jean Mills of North Platte, Neb.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Jane Pearson of Tabor, S.D., Jeff and Norm Pearson of Overtone, Neb., Stacey Pearson of Grand Island, Neb.; sister and brother in-law, Julie and Nick Keogh of Kearney; uncles and aunts, Bruce and Mary Ann Johnson of Littleton, Colo., Gary and Merry Johnson of Holdrege; step-daughter and husband, Brandi and Chad MacKenzie; stepson and companion, Ryan Horn and Alexandra Giatras of Edwards, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Pearson was preceded in death by his father, Nelse Pearson; father in-law, Dale Mills; and his grandparents.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, account No. 129589.

Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements in Alaska and O’Brian-Straatmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements in Nebraska.