Major Leroy M. Pearson, USAF (Retired), 85, Clifton, passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at his home in Clifton, Ks. Leroy was born March 16, 1933, on his family’s farm near Brantford, Kansas to Roy and Dorothy (Weckwerth) Pearson.
Leroy married Florence (Dee) Griffith in 1961 and to that union was born Robert “Bob” Pearson and Elizabeth “Beth” Bergstrom. He married Patricia (Gieber) Pearson in 1995.
Leroy excelled in high school sports at Clyde. After playing football for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes in Salina, KS, he joined the US Air Force as a pilot. He received his wings in 1955 in Enid, OK. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1964. Leroy served in the Vietnam War where he flew multiple missions as part of the 906th AREFS Global Refueling Squadron. In 1974, he retired and moved back to the family farm.
Leroy’s true lifelong love was farming. He spent his younger years working in the fields with his father using horse drawn implements. As farming technology changed over the years, Leroy researched and studied new ideas. He had a forward thinking approach and embraced the new farming methods. He was an avid no-till farmer up until his retirement in 2017. He always loved talking about farming! His favorite times of the day were his morning breakfast with friends at Twink’s and his afternoon coffee at Kisby’s Pit Stop. Leroy was a member of the Brantford Covenant Church, VFW Post 947, American Legion Post 227, and a 40-year member of the Clyde Lions Club.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Pearson and his children, Bob Pearson (Janet), Manhattan, KS, and Beth Bergstrom (Stanley), Clyde, KS, stepsons Bradley Hammond (Mitzi), Skiatook, OK; Jeff Hammond (Shari), Lee’s Summit, MO; Jarad Hammond (CJ), Clyde, KS, brother Ralph Pearson (Glenda), Ord, NE, brother-in-law Max Berends, Columbia, MO, and 10 grandchildren; Lauren Hartsook (Mark), Reed Bergstrom, Ian Bergstrom, Tyler Hammond, Jack Hammond, Carson and Chase Hammond, Madison, Marlee, and Mylee Jo Hammond, Kristi Demanette (David), Amanda Moon, and Great Granddaughter, Annabella Demanette.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Berends.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Brantford Covenant Church, Clyde, KS with Pastor Michael Osterman officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 31, 2018 from 1:00 – 6:00 PM at Chaput Mortuary, Clyde, KS, with family greeting guests from 4:00-6:00 PM. A graveside service with full military honors by McConnell AFB, Wichita, Ks will follow at the Brantford Covenant Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Clyde Lions Club, Brantford Covenant Church or Meadowlark Hospice in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.