Orrin W. Pearson

Orrin W. Pearson, 95, of Abilene, Texas went home to be with his Lord, on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, June 24, 2013 at the Temple Masonic Cemetery in Temple, Oklahoma, with Phillip Hart officiating. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Orrin was born on November 7, 1917 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of G. Walter and Esther M. Pearson. Orrin attended school in Minneapolis, MN. Following high school, he attended the University of Minnesota and Minnesota University's College of Dentistry. Only three months after graduating from dental school, Orrin assumed duty as a Lieutenant at the Naval Air Station near Corpus Christi, TX during World War II. This was where he met the "love of his life", and wife of 66 years, Mildred Mae Knox. Soon after meeting Mildred, a change of duty to the Pacific Theater with the Fleet Marine Force interrupted their courtship. He spent most of his time in Saipan, but their love for each other grew stronger, through those war years, as they kept in close touch, through the mail. Following his return, Orrin and Mildred were married in Corpus Christi on January 5, 1946. Eventually, Orrin and Mildred returned to Minneapolis where Orrin made the decision to continue his professional career with the U.S. Veterans Administration. After serving five years in the V.A. hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota he had an opportunity to transfer to a new teaching hospital in Oklahoma City, OK, where they lived for 52 years. He retired from the hospital in 1974. For six years following, he worked as a part time instructor in the dental hygiene programs at Rose State College and at the University of Oklahoma Dental School. Next to the Lord, Orrin's love for his family was his greatest joy. He loved spending time with Mildred and their two children, having family conversations, taking them on vacations every summer, going on Boy Scout camp outs, and attending church related activities. A close third would be his joy for music; often entertaining family and friends with his singing and piano playing. He sang in the church choirs at Mayfair Baptist Church and Northwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Orrin also loved to hunt, fish, paint, play golf, and travel. He always loved being surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family has been greatly blessed and strengthened by his presence, his love for them, and most of all, his love for the Lord. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Mae Pearson, and his parents, G. Walter and Esther M. Pearson. Orrin is survived by his son, David Pearson and wife Gina of Sheridan, Wyoming; his daughter, Marsha Keef and husband Ken of Abilene; grandchildren, Ashley Keesee and husband Tyler, of Abilene, Paige Sanders and husband Doug of Sheridan, Wyoming, Dane Pearson also of Sheridan, Wyoming; great-grandchildren Kylan Sanders, Alexa Sanders, Dalaney Sanders, Karsen Keesee, and Daxen Pearson. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the nursing staff at Wisteria Place Nursing Home and Hospice of the Big Country, for their constant and tender care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Orrin to Hospice of The Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605; or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.