Buddy Donald Pearson

Buddy Donald Pearson, born December 30, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Lydia and Henning Pearson, who immigrated to Utah from Helsingborg, Sweden, passed away on March 20, 2023. Before moving to Boulder, CO, in 2018, he lived in Bountiful, Utah for over 60 years. Buddy was predeceased by his brothers Vincent (Vinnie), George, Larry, and Robert (Bob), and his sister Esther, who died at age 2. Buddy’s passing marks the end of the era of the five incredible Pearson brothers.

After graduating from West High School (where his attendance was interrupted by WW2), Buddy attended Brigham Young University for two years. While playing golf with his brother, Bob, he met Isabell (Liz) Lawrence Pearson, whom he married on October 12, 1956. They moved into their home in Bountiful, Utah, in 1957, where they raised their children. They were married 35 years until her death in 1991. Buddy never remarried, but for 25 years he enjoyed the company and friendship of Ann Theos who preceded him in death in 2017.

Buddy’s youth was spent working as a caddy at Forest Dale Golf Course with his brothers. Buddy enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War 2 from 1944 until 1947 and the Korean War from 1950 until 1953. He enjoyed telling the story of how he met up with his brother Larry in Saipan during the war while Larry served in the US Marines. Buddy was stationed for one year after WW2 on the hospital ship Repose, anchored on the Yangtze River in Tsingtao, China. After serving in the Naval Reserve, Buddy returned to active service during the Korean War and he was stationed in Japan. After being discharged from the Navy at Norfolk, VA, he returned to Utah and worked at Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph (later US West) from 1953 until he retired in 1987.

Buddy was known for his good health, physical strength, and stamina (he never turned down overtime, and put a new roof on his house at age 85), as well as the kindness and generosity he showed to everyone he met. In the decades before cell phones, Buddy was always happy to help a neighbor or friend with their telephone issues. He was a man of few words, and none of them were complaints.

Buddy was the proud father of two children, Lawrence (Larry) Donald Pearson and Debra Pearson Ritzwoller (Michael Ritzwoller). He was also a loving grandfather to Emery Pearson (Kevin Woodall), Ashley Ostler (Chris Ostler), David Ritzwoller, and Dawn Ritzwoller, and great-grandfather to Kaden McCall, Brynn Ross, and Aspen Ostler.

Buddy enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, skiing, rooting for the Utah Jazz and University of Utah football. He especially loved golf, which he played almost daily after his retirement for many years.

Buddy will be remembered for his kind heart, generous spirit, and passion for life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Buddy will be buried next to his beloved wife, Isabell, in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The family thanks the wonderful caregivers in the Reminiscent unit at Sunrise of Boulder for the kindness that they showed to Buddy.

A memorial service will be held at Bountiful Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.  Before the service, a family and friends visitation will be held beginning at 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to South Davis Senior Activity Center, The Salt Lake Tribune (a nonprofit), or TRU Community Care (Hospice) of Boulder.