1923 – 2004

MEXICO – Rodney E. Pearson, 80, of Mexico, formerly of Canton, died unexpectedly, Sunday, March 21, at his home in Mexico with family by his side.

He was born May 1, 1923, in Buckfield, a son of Everett and Georgie (Warren) Pearson. He attended Buckfield schools, graduating from Buckfield High School in 1942.

On Sept. 12, 1947, he married, Thelma Norris in West Paris. They made their home in Canton for 40 years and for the past three years in Mexico.

During World War II, he served three years in the Army as a Tech Sergeant in the 159th Quarter Master Baker Co. where he earned a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and a Victory Medal, serving in the Pacific Theater.

He was employed at Oxford Paper Co., later the Boise Cascade Paper Mill, as a millright, retiring after 35 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma of Mexico; two sons, Stephen and his wife Shari of Auburn and Thane and his wife Holly of Kittery; three daughters, Pamela Akers and her husband Ronald of Casco, Rhonda Holcomb and her husband Normand of Naples, and Lori Cayer and her husband George of Rumford; nine grandchildren, Jana Beardsley, Tracy Cox, Ronald Akers Jr., Davian Akers, David Pearson, Scott Pearson, Shaun Pearson, Hillary Cayer, and Larissa Cayer; two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Jared Cox; a sister, Mildred Bellevance of Buckfield.

He was predeceased by a sister, Beatrice Keene of Buckfield; and a nephew, Warren Pearson of Dixville Notch, N.H.