Gary Pearson

Gary Lynne Pearson of Forney passed away on March 11, 2025. Gary was born June 17, 1954, and was lovingly adopted by Carl Alvin (Al) and Gladys Pearson, both of whom joyfully welcomed him into Heaven when he arrived as well as his parents-in-law, Vyrl and Edith Cadwell, a cousin-in-law, Paul Weible, Uncle Walter Terry and wife, Elsie, and Aunt Louise Wymore. Gary graduated from Greeley Central High School in 1972. As a young man and after graduating, Gary worked with his dad, Al, on the farm. Gary’s mechanical skills also showed themselves early in his life. As a high school student, Gary built a fully functioning and street-legal car from an Econoline van frame and corrugated steel with all details including headlights. While farming in Colorado, Gary often sold his produce to Safeway Grocery stores as well as selling directly to other people over the years. He later began a career as a heavy equipment mechanic working with companies like Mi-Jack, ITS and Holt Equipment but, for all of his life, he had an undeniable love for the land and farming. He was a gifted mechanic with incredible skills in rebuilding, repairing and restoring many kinds of equipment. Early in 1989, he met Martha Cadwell (known as Marty) through a mutual friend, Debbie (Babb) Rousseau. He began attending church with Marty, after which they would go to one of the Black-Eyed Pea restaurants for lunch. They quickly grew very fond of each other and, both in church and at lunch, Marty is sure they struck observers as the picture of “young love” even though they were in their 30’s. During one of the lunches at the Black-Eyed Pea, he told Marty “We’ve got to do something about this!” and he spontaneously proposed right then! On Oct. 7, 1989, Gary married his soulmate and the love of his life in her small hometown (Manilla, Iowa). It’s important to note that not only was Marty his perfect match in every way; he would often tell her, “Everyone should have a Marty!”. In 1997, Gary and Marty moved back to her parents' farm in Iowa where he was able to completely live his dream: loving a beautiful lady, tractors and farming! While living on and working Marty’s parent’s farm, Gary also worked nearby at Steve’s Repair. In 2003, he and Marty moved back to Forney where he returned to his other career of working on heavy equipment at his previous employer, Mi-Jack Products in Mesquite. Gary continued his love of tractors by being an active member of North Texas Antique Tractor and Engine Club for several years; he also served as President for five years. His love of building things gave him an enviable skill that others admired and were fascinated by. Along with his expert mechanical skills (that everyone depended on, including Marty!), Gary’s green thumb was also legendary in that he could grow almost any plant or vegetable along with building mechanical masterpieces. In 2024, he and Marty had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Thailand for 7 weeks and this trip will forever be one of the most treasured memories, along with their wedding day, to both Gary and Marty. He and Marty became good friends with Tom and Rhonda Emmons, former missionaries to Thailand, who helped them learn more about Thailand before they left on their incredible trip. Gary’s many friends and relatives fondly recall his wonderful talent and his being good at cooking, barbequing and smoking meats, all of which were greatly enjoyed and eaten. A wonderful husband and friend, Gary will always be remembered and never forgotten by all who loved him. His memory will be forever cherished by his wife of 35 years, Martha (Marty) Pearson; his cousins and cousins-in law, Walt and Sandy Terry and Vicki Weible, lifelong friends, Ken and Suzanne Penner, Karen Sorenson, Melvin Bickling, and Kevin Mininger; very close friends, Bryan and Sheila Blum and Warren and Gina Vincent; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Keith and Linda Cadwell, Kathy and Jerry Hout, Dorothy and Colin Ackley, Anita and Todd LeStrange and Bryan and Val Cadwell along with many nieces, nephews, other extended family, friends and neighbors, each of whom will greatly miss Gary. A celebration of his life will be at 11:00am, Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Terrell Bible Church where all are welcome to come remember the legacy that Gary gave to all.

Tributes

Gary Pearson

June 17, 1954 - March 11, 2025