Ted completed his journey on earth Tuesday night of March 22, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick, New York. He was associated here with The Warwick Reformed Church, where a ‘Celebration of his Life’ will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, at 11:00 am. An informal luncheon reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 1st, 1935 of parents Ethel J. and James W. Pearson. Subsequently, they moved to Lexington, Kentucky where Ted spent his ‘growing up’ years. He graduated from Lafayette High School, reaching the esteemed’ positions of president of his senior class and also captain of their football team. Ted graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Business Administration degrees in 1957.
He served in the U. S. Army from January 1958 to January 1960, as Specialist 5th class at the U.S. Army Rocket and Guided Missile Agency, U. S. Army Ordinance Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. Ted’s business career included positions with the G. W. University, U. S. House of Representatives, both in Washington D.C., the Radio Corporation of American, Lever Brothers Company, Computer Applications, Inc., American Express, (Credit Card Division), Informatics (N.J.), Marsh & McLennan (N.Y.), and New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association. After retiring from his last position at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1993, Ted was self-employed for several years in Practical Computer Service here in Warwick, NY. He also belonged to several computer business organizations.
Through the many working years, he gained joy and respect from many acquaintances, several became sincere friends and even now remember Ted as their honest, cheerful, fun loving, engaging and personal friend. Included in his life were: step brother, Clarke Prouty (deceased), his wife Sheila of Elkins, West Virginia; step brother Edward Pearson and wife Brenda of California. Besides Joan (his wife of 43 years), the others he left are his in-laws: Roberta E. Sommer (Mrs. Henry G. Sommer) of Warwick and Kerhonkson, NY, Julia G. Richter (Mrs. William C. Richter) of Bloomfield, CT, Ruth E. and Dean A. Mordhorst of Coburg, OR, Marie E. and Frank St. George (both deceased) of Buffalo, NY, Eugene A. (deceased) and Elizabeth Herb Plassmann of Los Alamos, NM, George R. and JoAn Hickman Plassmann (both deceased) of Austin, TX. With the many nieces and nephews and ‘grand-ones” too, Uncle Ted had a following of joy, happy times and love in his life. Especially close and comforting family members of Ted included Roberta, his sister-in-law, niece Leslie and husband, Steven Alexander of West Milford, NJ, their children Adam, Sara, Kristen and Sam, nephew John H. Plassmann of Winston-Salem, NC, and niece Nancy Taylor of Stone Ridge, NY. Also caring for our Ted: Dr. Dennis Scharfenberger of Warwick, Jack and Chris Reddan, neighbors, Rev. Michael Otte (pastor of The Warwick Reformed Church). With all his designations, Ted has already been missed so very much.
He was an avid reader, constructed and flew model airplanes during his ‘getting back to the fun time, youthful activities’ years, maintained and enjoyed his in ground pool during swimming months, and (until he no longer felt he could concentrate) used his personal computer for keeping up his various data bases. Being from Lexington, Kentucky, ‘the Derby’ horse race was always a fun time for friends and family. Having the stature of Colonel Sanders, Ted enjoyed portraying the Colonel with his white jacket and black bow tie. Bert Combs (then governor of Kentucky, 1960) conferred the commission of Kentucky Colonel upon Ted.
Our Lord was truly with Ted his whole life. We are all sincerely grateful and praise Him. ‘It is by dying that one awakes to eternal life’ and we thank our heavenly Father for this life. ‘The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.’ Surely goodness and mercy followed Ted all his days and now may he dwell in the house of the Lord. The challenging evils and darkness that tried to make headway into Ted’s life were conquered by his strong determination and (his need for) God’s help. Ted was a wonderful companion, caring, comforting and loving – a strong husband who enjoyed his life that was filled with love.
Among his favorite charitable organizations were: The Smile Train, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Warwick Snack Pack (at the Reformed Church).