OBITUARY: George Joe Pearson

George Joe Pearson passed away at 1:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014. He was 65.

Joe was born on Dec. 30, 1948, in Harrisburg.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela Seright Pearson, John 'Spider" Pearson and wife Pam, Jim Pearson and wife Suzie; niece, Stephanie Wise and husband Gene; great-nephew, Dillon Wise; nephews, David Pearson wife Kendra and Mike Pearson.

Joe received a bachelor's degree from SIU and a master's degree, with honors from SIU.

After his college experiences Joe took a two year sabbatical to Jamaica.

Following his Jamaica tour he was "Joe Joe" at the Lauderdale by Sea Patio Bar for a year.

In 1976 he returned to Harrisburg and with his brother Spider and opened the Village Pump Restaurant, Bar and Hotel.

On the sale of the Pump property to Walmart, Joe opened Pearson Jewelry. Next he joined his Uncle Bill and Cousin Tom at Arclar Company in 1987 and soon became the preeminent coal salesman in the United States.

Mr. Pearson was instrumental in helping to lead Arclar as it grew from the original 19 employees and 200,000 tons a year level until its maximum size of 600 employees producing 6,000,000 tons per year before acquisition by Peabody. After the acquisition, Mr. Pearson formed Pearson Acquisitions to purchase and resell commercial land.

Joe was a partner in Power, Inc., a coal loading facility in Shawneetown, with 6,000,000 tons per year through put.

At his death Joe served as President of Eagle River Coal LLC located just south of Harrisburg in Mitchellville.

In 1994 he partnered with Mr. Franks, to purchase Farmers State Bank in Alto Pass. The bank subsequently branched to Harrisburg and Marion. Mr. Pearson sold his share of Farmers State Bank to Mr. Franks in 2002 but remained lead director of the Board of Directors of the Bank.

In the interim, he has remained very involved in the coal industry in Illinois serving as vice-chairman of the Illinois Coal Association; chairman of board of Illinois Department of Natural Resources; board member of the Illinois Coal Council; board member of the Illinois Coal Development Board.

In the State Capital, Mr. Pearson has been referred to as "the face of coal in Illinois" and was currently counseling members of the State Legislative Appropriations Committee to establish permanent financing for the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals.

Joe was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Joe was large in his generosity. He provided scholarships and supported local ball teams and was very involved in the community. He had an inexhaustible spirit and a check ready for any good cause. He supported the community with his personal efforts and was always ready to lend a hand for a good cause or to help a party in distress. In addition to his generosity he was known for his compassion, ability to communicate and remarkable success in bringing together people with different viewpoints.

He uplifted all of those around him and a favorite saying of his was "make that miracle happen."

He made so many miracles happen. Even at his death his generosity continued as he had arranged to donate his organs.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 4 p.m. The family would prefer donations, in lieu of flowers, to: Harrisburg First United Methodist Church, the 4C's, CASA or Carmi Children's Home. Envelopes will be available at the church. Reed Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.