Joe Lynn Pearson

A life honorably lived! Joe “Jody” Lynn Pearson, 83, of Sandy, Utah passed away on December 31, 2023, surrounded by his family from incidents due to age. Joe was born in Bell California August 26,1940 to Len Stone Pearson and Mildred Josephine Flynt Koonce Pearson.

His early years were spent in Tennessee and California enjoying his bothers Ron Pearson and Karl Koonce and sister Betty Jean. Joe had endless funny stories about childhood adventures with an animated pack of young boys riding bikes, playing tricks, teasing each other and getting into mischief.

He reminisced about the days riding his bike to Wrigley Field with buddies to watch the Los Angeles Angels play baseball. With no money in their pockets, they talked the hot dog man into giving them the burnt hot dogs before the ride home. (We all eat burnt hot dogs to this day)

Dad graduated from Montebello High School where he excelled on the men’s tennis team. He later attended East L.A. Junior College where he received two associate degrees and a scholarship to play tennis at Whittier College. The first AA was in business the second in plumbing. He later joined his father in the family business, East Side Plumbing in Los Angeles California. He became the owner and was fully dedicated and embraced his profession. He built many friendships, enjoyed those he worked with and delivered excellent customer care.

Inspired by his bother Karl Koonce who served in WWII, Dad enlisted in the 144th Division of the United States Army active duty in the California National Guard. He often told stories of learning to operate the long-range artillery weapon called the 405 Howitzer. The Army shaped much of his life and built a disciplined, honorable man.

The love of his life, Carolyn Jean Rice Pearson caught his eye as a Montebello High School cheerleader who drove a 1956 red Corvette. After many school dances, dating and successfully chasing off other boys, Joe asked for Carolyn’s hand in marriage New Years Eve 1962. A candlelight wedding ceremony was held at the Grace Presbyterian Church in Montebello Park. September 15, 1962. Together they have fond memories of time spent enjoying Disneyland and beautiful Carmel California where they honeymooned.

In 1964 their daughter Susan Lynn arrived. In 1969, son David Scott arrived. Dad was such a great example, provider and rock for our family. Together we enjoyed living in Arcadia California and later Sandy Utah. When the family moved to Utah, he sacrificed a lot for the family and eventually became the founder of Joe Pearson Plumbing Company. Dad built a beautiful family life together with our Mom who celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this past September.

Dad was quite the athlete! He loved surfing in Southern California, fishing in Utah, Mexico and Alaska. He was not only a member of the Arcadia Tennis Club, but was the top player there for many years. He enjoyed both street and dirt motorcycling and taught David how to ride. He loved to restore classic cars and attend car shows. He could quote the year, engine style and net value of any car. He followed the L.A. Dodgers, Angels, boxing, football and horse racing. Dad was even a skilled ping pong player. He loved boating adventures on his Bayliner as well. He tolerated his daughters love of horses and called himself Bat Masterson (A famous old west army scout & horseman) Dad was an excellent snow skier and taught us how to manage the black diamond slopes on Mammoth Mountain California, Aspen, Colorado, Alta, Utah and Brian Head Resort in Utah.

As little kids, if we were ever lost during a sports activity or if it was time to come home for dinner, Dad belted out a loud whistle that vibrated our core. He also is the founder of the famous “Pearson Clap” This skill involved cupping the palms of your hand in a certain way then applying a force which sent out a popping sound that pierced your ears! This is how we survived before beepers and cell phones.

Dad enjoyed building the family cabin located in Hatch Utah. He spent long family summers with Carolyn’s parents Carl and Virgina Rice. We will always remember fishing the Sevier River mud hole together and waking up at 4:00 a.m. to be “First On Water” Panguitch Lake starring at the tip of our fishing poles for hours, eating beef jerky for breakfast then hear hearing Dad exclaim, “Fish On”!

Dad had a soft spot for dogs. Butch, B.K. and Turkey to name a few. He is also famous for having the ability to make a wide vocabulary of animal sounds. Many early mornings we awoke to Dads colorful opera of wildlife calls aimed out the window to stir up any animal or human within a 4-mile range.

Dad was raised in the Southern Baptist church from his Tennessee childhood. He later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1978, the family was sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple. He was married and sealed to Carolyn Jean Rice on the same day.

He faithfully served in many important church leadership positions and honored his Priesthood. Together Carolyn and Joe served in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission. Additionally, they served in the Jordan River Temple for two years and sacrificed to pay for David to go on his mission to Mexico.

His pride and joy will always be his 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

His memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him. What a magnificent reunion he is having now being free from pain, able to walk and run and connect with his family who passed before him. We are grateful for the Plan of Salvation and knowledge that we will be together again.
Survived by his wife Carolyn, son David Scott (Cherlynn) Pearson, daughter Susan Lynn (Matt K.) Evans, brother Ron (Emily) Pearson, nephews Steve Koonce and Robert Koonce, 8 grandchildren Sunnie (Riley) James, Jake, Sterling (Amanda) Shannon (Joe), 7 great grandchildren Addie, Harper, Paige, Karli Jo, Zion, Aubrie and Brynnley. Preceded in death by parents, brother, sister and granddaughter McKinzy Evans.

Special thank you to the Veteran’s Administration, Disabled American Veteran Administration / William Cooper, Come For Care, Active Home Health Care and Hospice. Carolyn Pearson who delivered 24/7 care with love.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT. A viewing will be held Friday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 am prior to the services. If you would like to watch the recorded services, please click on the blue “Watch Services” button above.