Harry Robert “H. R.” Pearson, III, 85, Kimberling City, Missouri, formerly of Lake Winnebago and Harrisonville, Missouri, died Sunday, September 29, 2013 at his home. A memorial/graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 3, 2013 at the Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, Missouri, under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus, 3044 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Suite 200, Branson, MO 65616, St. Peters Episcopal Church, 400 W. Wall Street, Harrisonville, MO 64701 or to the charity of your choice.
H. R. was born February 15, 1928 in Harrisonville, Missouri, the son of Harry Robert and Mary Ruth (Burney) Pearson, Jr. He, like his parents, obtained his schooling in the Harrisonville Schools, graduating with the Class of 1946, having been president of his senior class. He attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, Missouri University in Columbia, Missouri and University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Junior Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri, South Central Business Association, Apartment Owners Association and the House Builders Association in Topeka, Kansas.
H. R. was a communicate of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Harrisonville, Missouri and was the first acolyte to serve there. He was elected to the Vestry at the early age of 21 years old.
Having graduated from high school just at the close of WWII, H. R. enlisted in the U. S. Naval Air Reserve Force, spending one weekend each month receiving his training at the Naval Air Station in Olathe, Kansas. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
In 1955, H. R. and his father formed the Pearson Investment Company, having extensive holdings in Harrisonville, Kansas City, North and Belton, Missouri and Topeka, Kansas. H. R. built the first all electric apartments in Topeka and was invited to the G. E. Company in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was given a plaque for his buildings.
In 1986, due to the declining health of his father, H. R. took over the active management of the Real Estate Association, building many houses and duplexes and apartment buildings in Harrisonville. The office was at 305 West Wall Street, occupying a new building on the site of the home of his great-grandfather, John B. R. Deacon , a pioneer of Harrisonville. H. R. was the 5th generation to live in this house before it was torn down.
H. R. was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Rose Ann, of the home; two step-daughters, Kim Weisbrod and husband, Steven, Ozark, Missouri and Tracy Coats and husband, Wayne, Chillicothe, Ohio and 8 grandchildren.
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