Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt Pearson

On June 22, 2023, Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt Pearson died at the age of eighty-eight. He was born in Kansas in 1934 during the Dust Bowl, moving to California when he was six years old.

Ted was known for his quick-witted humor, hard work ethic, kindness, generosity, and even-keeled temperament. In addition to his many wonderful characteristics, Ted was most noted for his love for and devotion to, his wife, Randa. Having met at Lindbergh Junior High in Long Beach, they have been together for 75 years, happily married for 70 of those years.

An exceptionally hard worker, Ted joined the L.A. County Fire Department in 1960 and became an expert in petroleum fires. He rose to the rank of Batalion Chief, and retired, 30 years later to the day. Prior to that, after graduating from Wilson High School, Ted had many jobs, including working at Douglas Aircraft, General Telephone, roofing, and owning a Hancock gas station which at the time sold gas for $0.33 a gallon. He was generous with his time, serving a variety of organizations including building cabinets for Habitat for Humanity and working 25 years with Wheelchairs of the World.

Ted also liked to have fun. He enjoyed both water and snow skiing, camping, traveling all over the world and the U.S., and even cooking. You could always find Ted in his immaculately clean and organized garage, making kitchen cabinets or anything else someone would ask of him.

In addition to his wife, Randa, he is survived by his two children and their spouses, Jill and Patrick English; Clark and Jane Pearson, as well as four grandchildren and spouses: Jennifer and Parker Chaffee; Caroline and Jason Schulte; Kim and Eric Solomon; Patrick English & his fiancé, Vanessa Jennings and four great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Samuel Solomon; James and Colin Schulte.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on July 1 at Bethany Lutheran Church; 4644 Clark Ave.; Long Beach, CA.

In lieu of sending flowers, consider honoring Ted’s legacy by making a donation to the Grantparent Program (https://www.psd-schools.org/give) or Obria Medical Clinic in Whittier. ( https://obria.org/los-angeles/clinic/whittier-ca/) .

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401