Melton Tidwell Pearson, 89, of Cuero passed away Friday, July 11 2014 in Cuero, TX.
He was born on October 10, 1924, in Waco, TX to the late Charles Wesley Pearson and Ollie Mae Martin Pearson. Melton was raised in a pastor’s home in Rocksprings, TX. In his youth, Melton developed a love for fishing during family trips to Rockport, TX.
Melton enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 11, 1941, the day after his seventeenth birthday, and was honorably discharged on November 5, 1945 as a Yeoman First Class. Melton served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Converse, a Fletcher-class destroyer that received the Navy Occupation Service Medal and 11 bronze service stars. The USS Converse was a part of Destroyer Squadron Twenty Three that was the only squadron to receive the Presidential Unit Citation in WWII. It was known as “one lucky ship, as well as a great ship, a ship to be envied.” It was hit once by a Japanese torpedo that failed to detonate. Admiral Arleigh (31 knot) Burke stated “The USS Converse was indeed a great, great ship, but the Lord was indeed watching over her, too. Without Divine guidance, no ship could have endured so much, so long, as did the USS Converse.”
Melton attended Del Mar College and Corpus Christi University and was ordained as a Minister in Wimberley, TX. Melton worked with Stauffer Chemical and left to manage Standard Spray Chemical Company in Lakeland, FL where he and his wife (Ava Elizabeth David) raised their four children. Melton semi-retired in 1968 and relocated his family to Rockport, TX to enjoy his love for fishing and horticulture where he founded Pearson’s Garden Center.
After living in San Antonio and Fredericksburg for many years, Melton relocated to Cuero, TX to be closer to his youngest daughter, Helen.
Melton is survived by his brother, Leroy, Houston, TX; sister Dorothy Vandeveer, Temple, TX; two sons, Melton Lee Pearson and his wife, Linda, of Auburndale, FL, James Edward Pearson and his wife, Maclina, of Lakeland, FL; and two daughters, Ava Burton Kaiser and her husband, Don, of San Antonio, TX, Helen Elizabeth Reese and her husband, Ray, of Cuero, TX. He has 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Cecil Pearson and Charles Pearson.
The family wishes to thank the Alz Care staff in Cuero, TX who lovingly cared for “Pearson” (as he was affectionately known) during his last years.
The family is planning a private memorial for Melton in Rockport, TX at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Cuero, 408 N. Gonzales St., Cuero, TX 77954.
You may sign the guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.
Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.
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