Ricardo J. Pearson

On Thursday, January 29, 2015, our beloved husband, father, brother, Pop Pop, and friend, Ricardo “Rick” Pearson was called home to eternal rest and peace. He was born to the late Carol Pearson in Portsmouth, Virginia on September 29, 1964. As reflected by his admiring smile, Rick was a beautiful soul and fun, joyful, spiritual inspiration to all he met.

Rick Pearson, 50, of Harvest, Alabama, succumbed to cancer at home surrounded by his family after a brief battle. He was truly a soldier for the Lord and because of his untiring faith, became a member of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church where he could faithfully serve his God.

Rick is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Karen, of 19 years; two sons: Lieutenant Kevin Garlington (Tarryn) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Ricardo “RJ” Pearson, II of Harvest, Virginia; three sisters: Daveda Pearson of Madison, Alabama; Mia Barrett and Tisa Parham (David) of Portsmouth, Virginia; a brother, Aleigh “Danny” Pearson of Madison, Alabama; a grandson, Jaxon “Jax” Garlington; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Rick was a loving, devoted, and dedicated father, husband, grandfather, and friend to all. He served in the United States Air Force for 26 years and retired as a Master Sergeant in 2011. After years of traveling and seeing the world during his Air Force years, Rick and his family settled down in Alabama where he started his civilian career as an Alabama State Assistant Veterans Officer for the city of Huntsville. Rick enjoyed this opportunity to help other military veterans who like him gave so much of themselves to serve their country. He was truly a family man who enjoyed mentoring his sons and spending quality time with family, had everlasting faith in God, strongly supported his political party, enjoyed golfing to the fullest, and volunteering at his Church and in his community.