Pearson, Thomas George Born in Radcliffe, Iowa on June 21,1927; passed away peacefully on May 22, in Mission Viejo, California. Tom was the elder of two sons born to Joella and Chester Pearson. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Jean, his parents, brother Roger, and son-in-law Buz Dahl.

Tom graduated from high school in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Navy during WW II, spending 18 months in uniform. After the war he enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) and graduated with a degree in Biology and minors in Math and Physical Education in 1950. He later earned his Masters degree at the University of Minnesota.

Upon graduation Tom took a teaching job in Rockwell City, IA. He taught math and science, and coached football, basketball, and track for four years before he accepted a teaching position with the Department of Defense. For the next 7 years he taught in Army Dependent schools in Japan, France, and Germany. He continued coaching and his basketball, football, and track teams all experienced success at various All-European Championship competitions.

Tom met his beloved wife Jean in Wurzburg, Germany and they married in 1959. Returning to the US in 1961, Tom taught and coached at Anoka High School where he held various athletic department positions for the next several years. Named Athletic Director in 1967 he remained in this post until his retirement in 1987.

Tom was a passionate supporter of athletics and his efforts to grow and promote sports were a hallmark of his career. One of his most important accomplishments was the inauguration of girls' sports at Anoka High School. Under his auspices the Tornado athletic offerings grew to 27 sports. Tom also did all the scheduling of athletic contests for the entire North Suburban Conference.

He hosted events at the Anoka Fieldhouse such as the earliest girls' state tournaments in both Volleyball and Gymnastics. In 1972 elite level wrestling arrived in Anoka with matches between the US and the USSR. Contestants included Olympic medalists from both nations. Following his retirement in 1987 Tom established the Tom Pearson Scholarship Fund which honors student athletes seeking to pursue a career in education.

Tom was beloved and his achievements were well recognized. He was named Alumnus of Distinction from the University of Minnesota; an inaugural inductee in the Anoka High School Hall of Fame; an honorary member of the Anoka Athletic Alumni Club and chosen as Grand Marshall for the Anoka Halloween Parade (1987). Tom is survived by daughter Carol Dahl of Ramsey; son Bob Pearson (Maureen) of Dana Point, CA; grandchildren Joelle (John Crannick); Tori (Jerome Dahlgreen); Duncan Dahl (Mallory Chabre) and great-granddaughter Everly Crannick.

A Service of Christian burial will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 South Fourth Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303 on Saturday, June 8. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am. Funeral service will also be live-streamed at youtube.com/live/… Immediately following the service, a meal will be available in Fellowship Hall for attendees. A Private interment service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Tom's name to: Anoka High School - Tom Pearson scholarship fund (3939 North 7th Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303) or Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka, MN. zionanoka.org

Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home

Anoka, 763-421-0220

www.thurston-lindberg.com