PEARSON, DONALD ROBERT JR.

by Marjorie Pearson

Entry F328 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Donald Robert Pearson Jr. 1982

Donald Robert Pearson, Jr. was born to
Donald Robert and Marjorie (Reigle) Pear-
son in the Pioneer Memorial Hospital of
Mullen, ne. on August 3, 1961. Grandparents
are Ray E. & Myrtle I (Shefneer) Reilge and
Fritz B. & Myrtle F. (Rector) Pearson all of
Mullen, Ne.

As a small child Don was baptized at the
St. Joseph Episcopal Church by Rev. Jack
Yamamoto having Wayne & Carrie Marshall,
Doris & Guy King and Larry Pearson as
Godparents. He was confirmed into the
Episcopal Church on May 8, 1974 by Bishop
Robert Varley.

While attending Mullen Public Schools
Don was involved in sports, particularly
football, basketball and golf. He was a
Member of the Mullen Rodeo Club, being
President his Junior year. He was a member
of the Drama Club, being in many of the plays
and was chosen "outstanding Male Actor" at
the 1978 One Act Play Competition in the
Sandhill Conference.

Don enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid
sportsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf,
roping softball and town team basketball.

After graduating in May of 1979 he moved
to Overton, Ne. to work for Howard Philpot.
In March of 1980 he moved back to Mullen
and went to work for Rich Boots at the Farrar
Cattle Co. camp, south of Mullen. He liked
the ranch work and enjoyed the three day
cattle drives every spring and fall from the
Hyannis Ranch to the Mullen Ranch.

Don died on August 6, 1983 at the age of
22 years, of a tragic ranching accident.

The members of the townteam, Don was
on, have organized an Annual "Donnie
Pearson Memorial Townteam Basketball
Tournament each February in his memory
and the proceeds go to a scholarship fund and
awarded to one graduating Senior each
Graduation.