Don Stephan “Steve” Pearson, lifelong son of Delta, Utah, departed this earth to join his soulmate, Janet, on April 25, 2021. He was 82 years old. He is survived by his children: Cindy Lou Pearson (Tal Herman), and Russell Max Pearson (Carrie Brush Pearson), and 7 beloved grandchildren: Felicia Ashton, Alexa Pearson, Kael Pearson, Jordan Brush, McKenna Brush, Cole Herman, Flynn Herman; and, soon to be, 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister: Karin Pearson Eyre; sister-in-law: Carol Pearson; and 5 nephews and 2 nieces. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother: Reg.

Steve was the second child of three born to Van Dale Pearson and Norma Jean Chesley Pearson at their farm in South Track, Utah on March 4, 1939. He was younger brother to Reginald Pearson and later, big brother to Karin Pearson Eyre. He grew up working on the farm with his little dog Skip, developing a love of comic books, and listening to his favorite shows like “The Shadow” and “Flash Gordon” on the family’s big radio at night.

Steve attended Delta High School and graduated with the class of 1957. He ran track and played sports and was known for his love of rock and roll. After graduation, Steve worked in the payroll office for Reynold’s Electrical Engineering in Mercury, Nevada. The company was working for the Department of Defense to build electronics for the atomic bombs that would soon be tested there in the desert. Steve recalled that part of the testing required uniformed Army soldiers, 2,000 feet away in trenches, to rush out with bayonetts toward the bomb right after detonation.

While working in Nevada, Steve would often drive back to Delta on weekends to visit his family in a beautiful fiery red ‘56 Impala that had been tuck-and-roll upholstered in Tijuana. It was on a Saturday night, while dragging Main Street, that his friend Max Stanworth got out of his car to talk to him and in the back seat was “the most beautiful girl that Steve had ever seen.” This was Janet Ann Stanworth, only 16 years old at the time. He was smitten. Their first date together was in Provo to watch a BYU basketball game and then share pizza together. For 2 years, Steve would drive back to Delta on weekends to date Janet because her Dad, Duane Stanworth, would not let her marry until she turned 18 and graduated from High School.

They were married on September 7, 1962 in Oasis. The young couple moved up north and Steve attended University for 3 years studying business, while Janet worked at a pharmacy to support them. But Steve decided to leave school early and take a job as a Crane Operator to earn more money once their first child was on the way. During this time, the couple moved to Willard, then Ogden, and finally Tooele as they pursued jobs and welcomed their second child. A few years after this, the family returned to Delta and Steve helped his aging father work on their South Track farm. It was at this time that the family bought their first home and set down new roots in Delta.

His faithful dog, PeeWee, and later, gentle Rusty, accompanied Steve during his long days as a farmer. Steve had a lifelong love of animals and often joked that he would rather surround himself with dogs and cats than people. At the time of his passing, his little dog, Sophie, was waiting patiently for his return home.

It was at this time that Steve became one of the first employees of the Intermountain Power Project, driving his truck out into the desert farmlands to check on the wells and water that were necessary to help cool the giant coal-fired plant soon to be built. Many years later, he retired from the Intermountain Power Service Corporation after serving as the Supervisor of the Parts Warehouse.

After retirement, Steve enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, working on his yard, reading, watching his beloved British mysteries and dramas, and traveling. After Janet’s passing in 2014, he stayed closer to home but still managed to travel to Nevada and California to visit family. This year, however, Steve bravely struggled with dwindling health compounded by the isolation due to the Pandemic.

Steve’s family would like to say a special thank you to his physician, Dr. Steven Shamo, and to the caring nurses, caregivers and therapists at the Millard Care & Rehabilitation Center. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the lifeline that the Meals on Wheels workers provide to our at-risk elders, and thank them for all of their unsung work.

A celebration of life for Steve will be held at a later date in the summer. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Steve’s memory to the Utah Humane Society, at utahhumane.org