Charles Learoy Pearson, 69, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011.
He was raised in the Central Valley with 12 brothers and one sister. He was a husband, father, brother, best friend, and a brave man.
He met and married the love of his life, Diana (Bentley) Pearson. They had many adventures from farming grapes to raising cattle on their ranch in Oakdale.
Mr. Pearson worked for Teichert Construction as an underground foreman.
He and his son supplied local rodeos with bulls. He was also was a 4-H leader and helped to build the first milk barn at the county fair. For years, he sponsored and handed out the grand champion steer trophy at the fair, his highlight was being able to award one to his grandson.
He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Diana Pearson; children, Vena Pearson (James) Hudgins, Charles Billygene (Deborah) Pearson; siblings, Jessie, Mary, Floyd, Mike, Joe; 22 grandchildren; and a number of other children that he and his wife took in to take care of and raise.
A funeral service was held Jan. 10 at the Ceres Seventh Day Adventist Church.