Obituary of Anton “Tony” Alexander Pearson, Jr. December 12, 1943 – September 28, 2024 Anton “Tony” Alexander Pearson, Jr. of St. Regis, MT passed away peacefully September 28, 2024 with his devoted wife, RoseAnne, by his side. Tony was 80 years old.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Anton Sr, and Ina Pearson. He is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, RoseAnne; children Anton “Swede” (Becky) Pearson; DeeAnne (Joe) Egan; Delle (Ross) Colahan; Evangeline “Vangie” (Jason) Peterson; his brother, Gabriel Pearson; 10 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and Pearson cousins.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial service on Saturday, October 26, 2024, 1:00 pm, at Chapel of the Valley in Harlan, Oregon, with a small reception and fellowship time following.
He was born December 12, 1943, during WWII in Los Angeles, California, to his mother, Ina, while his father Anton “Tony” A. Pearson was at sea on a Navy ship that narrowly missed being attacked at Pearl Harbor. The young post-war family made their home on a dry land farm north of Conrad, MT that neighbored the farms of Tony Sr’s five brothers’ and one sister. Younger brother Gabriel Pearson completed the family April 19, 1945.
Tony and Gabriel (a.k.a. “Duffy” and “Buster”) attended Pioneer School on Uncle Gunder’s farm two miles away for the first 8 grades where Tony was the only student in his grade. Hunting with a .22, and learning every aspect of farming occupied Tony’s time. He learned to drive cat and tractor, picked rocks, killed rattle snakes, chopped ice, and worked cattle. In addition to killing snakes, he hunted pheasants, deer on the Marias river breaks, and elk in the Rocky mountians. Discovery of the vast petroleum resources in the area were enough to lure his dad, Tony Sr. to drill for “liquid gold” (gas and oil). Those efforts resulted in a “dry well” and the loss of his farm. The loss of the farm was devastating to Tony, but was a great motivation to buy his own property to leave to his family (that was to come) in St. Regis, MT.
Tony enrolled in Conrad High School, and lived with his uncles, Bernard and Gordy, for part of his high school career. Basketball and football were athletic highlights, and when the Conrad Cowboys traveled to play the Browning Indians, the bus parked against the locker room door so the team could escape without a fight.
Following his freshman year of high school Tony and Gabriel spent the summer on the Ernie Gietz cattle ranch near Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada, where he learned horse logging and spent many hours swimming and fishing with the Gietz boys. He helped break and train a filly named Promise. This love of horses, and having an eye for a good horse at an auction served him well as he bought horses for his own family years later. Throughout High School the boys were also able to work on the farm their dad had lost for the Kyle family.
His first year out of high school, Tony worked in the oil fields to save money for college. In September 1962, he enrolled in Evangel College, Springfield, Missouri, with a basketball-work scholarship. He played one season for Don Pearson, a coach he greatly admired. It was at Evangel College that he met RoseAnne Kessi.
RoseAnne had returned from Oregon with her sister Olive, to Evangel College in January 1963. Tony became acquainted with the Kessi sisters and by the end of the semester in May, when RoseAnne graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree, Tony and RoseAnne were engaged to be married that October.
RoseAnne returned home to her parent’s Ranch in Harlan, OR, while Tony spent the summer with Luther Locks custom harvest crew starting on the King Ranch in Texas, working their way north through Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Tony left the crew in Hardin, Montana, where he bought RoseAnne’s engagement and wedding rings, and went home to introduce his fiancee to the Pearson family. Tony packed his belongings and the engaged couple took the train to western Oregon where Tony began working in the logging industry, a dangerous career that proved God’s protection many times over the years.
Tony and RoseAnne were married October 26, 1963 at Chapel of the Valley, Harlan, Oregon; now, 61 years later, the site of Tony’s Memorial Service. After honeymooning down the Oregon coast to the Redwoods, the newlyweds made their home on a part of Sweet Home Ranch in the valley near Harlan. One year later, on October 19, their first child, Anton Alexander Pearson, III was born. Always called “Swede” due to the Pearsons being migrants from Sweden, he was born just in time for Tony to avoid being drafted in the Vietnam War. Two years later, on October 14, DeeAnne Kay was born. Delle Karleen came along 2 years later on September 22. Evangeline “Vangie” Faith completed the family, arriving on March 10, 3 1/2 years after Delle. All four children grew up farming and working for neighboring relatives and friends on their ranches.
The family lived an active outdoor life…hunting, fishing, camping,’coon hunting, and riding horses. Tony supplied the children with cattle and horses for 4-H, and during their 4-H years served as Livestock Superintendent at the Lincoln County Fair. The horses were used for everything: herding cows, racing with friends across the pastures, transportation to work and evening services at church, pulling sleds in the snow, packing moss and sheep, skidding posts when young teens DeeAnne and Swede were helping Tony with his fence post business; and for hunting trips to the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana.
Beginning in 1977 Tony and RoseAnne took their children and many friends into the Rocky Mountains of Montana in search of trophy mule deer and elk with 12 or more pack horses and mules under the guidance of Don Reishus (who had guided Tony Sr. with his boys years before). Great memories along with a number of trophy mule deer were collected in those years. One final large family hunt occurred on the event of Tony and RoseAnne’s 50th wedding anniversary on son-in-law Joe Egan’s cattle ranch in southeastern Montana, where every hunter harvested a buck in one day.
All four children graduated from Eddyville High School where they excelled academically and athletically. Tony served as Booster Club President during this time. Previously, during Swede’s grade school years, Tony began his career as a basketball official. Although he was a very good official, after refereeing a couple games, it was determined that he could not referee his own children as he would get whistle happy and foul them out of games. He refereed for 27 years, an example followed by Swede and Vangie to this day.
As a 12 year old, Tony attended Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse, Montana, where he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. Once married, Tony and RoseAnne always took their children to church and provided for the spiritual foundation that was based on faith in Jesus Christ.
Following church services, though, it was “game time.” During the kids’ middle and high school years, Tony was the main player, along with Uncle Donnie, on the girls’ team in “Tackle Keep Away”, boys vs. girls. This same game was also played at family holiday get-togethers. The extended family all sat up to Christmas dinner by kerosene lamp and candlelight at GrandPAW and Grandma Kessi’s house up on the mountain after barn chores and an intense game of Tackle Keep Away.
Tony was grateful to be part of the Kessi family, and was greatly loved by Bert and Faith, and readily accepted by RoseAnne’s six siblings…Mary Alice Dodd, Ruth Coykendall, David Kessi, Olive Stobbe, Don Kessi, and Faith Kessi. The Kessi siblings’ families both worked and played together until the cousins grew and had families of their own.
Tony and RoseAnne had an open door policy with friends and family. From Rook games with fresh apple pie out of the oven, to college friends just wanting to get out in the country, it was a welcoming home. College friends would let the kids know they were heading to “Dad and Mom’s” place for the weekend, whether or not the actual children were going home. Everyone who spent any length of time with Tony and RoseAnne learned to play Rook. Rook games until 1:00 am were not uncommon during the winter months on the weekends.
Tony’s 50 year trucking career included log, hay, crushed car, equipment and lumber hauling, which often meant leaving home at 3:30AM and returning late in the evening. In the 1960’s and 70’s, the family lived for a time in logging camps during the week and returned home weekends, allowing for more family time. During one of the log hauling jobs, their current property in St Regis, Montana, was found. This became the family’s part – time residence in the 1970’s, and ultimately the spot for their home from 2000 to the present.
Tony owned his own trucks, his first a GMC while hauling logs for his father-in-law, Bert Kessi. A blue, brand new Diamond T was purchased in 1966, but Peterbilts were his most common purchase, primarily hauling logs for the Clemens Forest Products Logging Company. The challenge of making payments on new trucks while purchasing the St Regis property led Tony to selling his new truck and buying used trucks at auctions for the remainder of his trucking career. Auction trips throughout the west, became a routine part of life where Tony bought trucks, equipment or cars.
Tony was one, who throughout life, would see a need and meet it. In addition to all that has been mentioned above, he served as the Hunter’s Safety Instructor for years in rural Harlan, Oregon, assisted with youth group, was involved in conservative political endeavors, and as chairman of the board for Superior, MT Assembly of God, made sure the pulpit was filled with a speaker on Sundays during a lengthy time between pastors.
In his latter years Tony said the best thing he ever did was marry RoseAnne. He would tell his kids, “You have a wonderful mother.” RoseAnne was a constant companion and totally committed to their marriage, “go-fer” for Tony and the family, an outstanding cook and homemaker whose kitchen has been coined “Pie Central”, and worked day and night honoring Tony’s request to remain at home as his health declined. As his life neared its end he would finish his conversations with RoseAnne, “I love you forever”. The second best thing was his four children. “I am so thankful for my kids. I love all four of my kids.” EVERYONE knew Tony was proud of his children.
Throughout Tony’s life, God proved His mercy was everlasting, and preserved his life and health through many close calls, accidents, and mental health challenges. As Tony’s health declined the promise of eternal life with Jesus became all important to him, eliminating any fear of death. He became increasingly thankful for the saving grace of Jesus Christ and consequently, for the promise of eternal life with out LORD. Although Tony struggled physically, his future home in heaven beckoned him. Tony left this earth quietly, truly experiencing “the peace that passes understanding,” and kept his heart and mind fixed on Jesus. Tony truly has been “Redeemed in Christ Jesus,” which will be engraved on Tony and RoseAnne’s joint headstone. Tony’s ashes will be buried some day with RoseAnne in her casket… side by side. As they were in life (for 60+ years), so shall they be in death.”
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Ina Haines says
Dear Pearson Family,
What a pleasure to get to know Antone “Tony” and RoseAnne.
Enjoyed listening to their many stories about growing up and about their family.
Please be aware that God loves them and you. Be at peace.
Hugs and much love, George and Ina Haines
Andrita Harris says
Pearson Family
So sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathy and condolences for the family. Prayers
Paul Ahola says
I remember uncle Tony passing Loralie’s shoe at our wedding reception. We used the money for a second honeymoon to Disneyland. He was a great man.
Curtis Cochran says
Years ago I stopped for permission to hunt up the hill thru the St.Regis Pearson ranch. Tony was happy that I asked first telling me I was the only hunter to actually ask so far that year. I killed a 5pt bull elk that day way up the north side of Little Joe mtn. I packed 1 street at a time down to the high switch back on Pearson property.
Getting there with qtr #2 the first quarter was gone. Couldn’t figure what happened to that 1st quarter.
Back up I went to get quarter #3 . Back down i came and there was Tony with his 4 wheeler shuttling my quarters down to my pickup on the railroad grade.. good man, good friend., Curtis Cochran St. Regis
Katrina wiens says
Uncle Tony was a hard worker and a lot of fun.!I enjoyed riding horses, wading the creek and many Christmas Eve Rook tournaments. I spent lots of time at his house. We were grateful he was willing to board my houses when we that year when we moved to the states after the Yukon.
And yes thanks uncle Tony for passing around the cowboy boot to collect money for our honeymoon trip!
Kimberly Mitchell says
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Please accept our condolences for your loss. We will miss Tony’s bright smile, jovial laugh, and gracious heart but find comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus.
Randy and Kim Mitchell