John Pearson

John Pearson passed away on August 17 at the age of 72 in Roseville, CA. He was born in San Francisco on January 14, 1950 to the absolute delight of his parents, Jean and Francis Pearson. They chose the name “John” because it meant, “God’s gracious gift.” It was a fitting name because John was truly a gift. He also came to be known as “The Pro”, “Bomber”, “Peewee” and “Waterguy”. John was one of 4 children and the only boy. When he was 7, Fran and Jean moved the family from Menlo Park to the hills of Redwood City. He attended local schools and had many good friends. He was athletic—a star pitcher in Little League. He surfed and skim boarded at Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. He fished in streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean. He was once stopped by the police at 5 a.m. who were alarmed to see a young boy walking in the dark. John was on his way to a small lake a couple miles from home, carrying his fishing pole and gear. In his teens, John became a highly skilled water-skier at Lake Berryessa. He was a marvel to watch. Other boaters followed him as he gracefully skied, awed by the way he carved the water. He competed in and won many waterskiing tournaments. Eventually he taught himself how to barefoot ski and was hired at Marine World in Redwood City to be the barefoot skiing Gorilla. Thereafter, his niece and nephews called him “Uncle Ape”. John carved and painted hula popper lures and made beautiful turned-wood candle holders as well as his own skim boards and skate boards. He had an affinity for wood and demonstrated his artistry and attention to detail at a young age. After graduating from San Carlos High School he attended the newly built Cañada College. Eventually he decided to pursue carpentry and became a contractor. Everything he built, he built as a craftsman. His work was beautiful, including work done inside walls that would be covered with sheet rock. Deck building became his specialty. John the Waterguy was most at home at or in the water. He was a certified advanced open water diver, an abalone diver and more recently his passion was free diving. The volume of sunglasses he found under piers is astonishing as is the treasure trove of metal objects he collected while metal detecting along the shores of lakes. He loved the women with whom he shared his life. He loved to dance. He loved his dogs. He was big hearted and fun loving. Generous, gentle, playful, goofy and quick to laugh. He was patient and sensitive. He didn’t judge people and gave them the benefit of the doubt. To know him was to love him. Married twice, John has one daughter, Lacie Butler, living in McKinney Texas with her husband, Jeffrey Butler and their 4 children: Brooklyn, Scarlett, Elena and Remington. John seemed in disbelief at his great fortune in having so many grandchildren. He spoke of his awe at his daughter’s ability to handle the chaos! John is also survived by his sisters Linda Pearson of Bellingham, WA; Sally Kent of Cloverdale, CA; his “like-a brother” brother-in-law Ed Hasbrouck of Manteca, CA; niece Marci (Denise) Hasbrouck of Pacifica, CA; nephew Shaun Hasbrouck of Valley Springs, CA ; and niece Twyla Capurro of Coulterville, CA. He was pre-deceased by his father Francis Pearson in 2004, his mother Jean Pearson in 2005, his sister and best friend Susan Hasbrouck in 2021 and his nephew Thomas Hasbrouck in 2014. A memorial to celebrate John is planned for Saturday, November 5. For details contact John’s daughter, Lacie. lacie.butler80@gmail.com Regarding donations see: https://gofund.me/26ee1c0