James "Jim" John Pearson Jr.

PEARSON JR., JAMES “JIM” JOHN MONONA-James John Pearson Jr. “Jim”, age 84, a resident of Monona, for 55 years, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2014, in Fitchburg at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on March 26, 1930, in Chicago Ill., the son of James and Margaret (Schanz) Pearson. Jim’s father emigrated from the Shetland Islands as a teenager, and his mother’s parents had come from Germany. Jim was proud of his heritage and over the years had returned to visit both ancestral countries, and remained in contact with relatives in Scotland. Jim grew up in Winfield, Ill.,attending a one room school house in his elementary years, and graduating from West Chicago High School in 1948. He then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., earning a degree in Civil Engineering in 1953. Jim married the love of his life, Mildred M. Wheeland in 1953, and they raised 6 children in Monona. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1957 during the Korean War, achieving rank of Lieutenant J.G. in the Civil Engineer Corp (SeaBees). Following his service in the Navy, Jim worked as a Civil Engineer for Armco Steel Corporation for 33 years. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and served one term as president of the Local Chapter. Jim loved spending time with family and friends in the outdoors. He spent much of his free time taking canoe trips down many of Wisconsin’s riverways, fishing in Canada and the U.S., camping, and traveling within the U.S. and abroad. Since 1976 he was a member of the Friendship Force; an organization committed to building worldwide friendships. He enjoyed working in his wonderful garden in order to grow produce to share with others. His wife and children have many fond memories of the trips that were taken in the pop-up camper with extended family, visiting the national parks and wonders of our country. The Boy Scouts of America was dear to him. Through his commitment to Troop No. 9, he was influential in the development of many boys in the community, including his sons Jeff and Bill. A member of the Monona United Methodist Church for 47 years, his strong Christian faith was evident throughout his life. Jim is survived by his wife Mildred; children, Katherine (Mike) Wiley of Centennial, Colo., James “Jeffrey” of Shell Lake, Wis., Janet (Pete) Wisdom of Hayward, Wis., Barbara of Fitchburg, Wis., William (Becky) of Santa Fe, N.M., and Kristine “Kippy” of Oak Creek, Wis.; grandchildren, Cari (Jeff), Bob, Bryan, Lizzie, Emmy, Jenny, Kate, Karlye (Paulo), Lauren (Mike), Meghan, Ryan, Rachel, and Annalise; and great-grandchildren, Clara, Henry, and Pearson. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Jean. A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at Noon on Saturday, May 10, 2014, with the Rev. David Byers-Dent presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park immediately following the service with a luncheon to follow. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Monona United Methodist Church, 606 Nichols Road, Monona, WI 53716, the Salvation Army, PO Box 8455, Madison, WI 53708, or to The American Cancer Society. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420