Michael R. Pearson, 74, of Homedale, Idaho, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of December 28, 2025, with his wife holding his hand. It was, as Mike would have appreciated, a beautiful day to go fishing.

Mike endured a long and courageous three-and-a-half-year battle with leiomyosarcoma, facing it with the same quiet strength and determination that defined his life.

He was born on his dad’s birthday in 1951, in Preston, Idaho, to Dean and Harriet Pearson. In 1955, the family moved to Homedale, the place Mike would proudly call home for the remainder of his life.

From a young age, Mike loved sports, especially baseball. He played Little League and was a standout pitcher, carrying that love of the game throughout his life; watching every televised Seattle Mariners game he could find. He attended Homedale schools, where he participated in football and basketball and was active in student government. During his senior year, Mike was a member of Homedale’s only state championship basketball team. His younger brother, Paul, also played on that team, and together the “Pearson Boys” were a force to be reckoned with. Mike graduated in 1969 and always treasured the memories of playing sports alongside his brothers.

 When he was old enough, he spent summers working for local farmers and later worked for Bob Ensley, where he learned the art of auto body repair. He proudly served in the National Guard from 1970 to 1977.

Mike met Terri in 1973 on a blind date, and they were married on December 1 of that year. Together they built a life and raised three children: Matt, Cami, and Carrie. Their home was full of love and always included a dog—or two. Later came nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Over the years, grandpa’s house became home to many family events including but not limited to holiday dinners, carnivals, campouts, and summer BBQs. Mike and Terri were married for fifty-two years.

In 1979, Mike opened Pearson Auto Body, which he owned and operated until 1999. He later worked for SSI as a fabricator until retiring in 2014. Retirement simply meant a new full-time job for Mike: hunting and fishing as much as possible. He would often tell Terri, “There’s a time clock to punch—I gotta get going.”

Fishing was Mike’s true passion. He loved Hells Canyon, CJ Strike, the Snake River, and of course, all of the “no-tell-em” spots. He participated in many local catfish derbies, and bass tournaments. The Owyhee Mountains, deer hunting, elk camp, trapping bobcats, muskrat, coyotes, beaver, and foxes, camping trips to Lost Creek, and grouse hunting were all part of a life spent outdoors.

Mike was incredibly skilled with his hands. He seemed to know everything and could fix just about anything. He was brilliant at building machinery, welding, construction, and problem solving. He also had a talent in the kitchen, mastering family favorites like sloppy joes, elk steak, smoked fish, zucchini boats, and his grandkids’ favorite cookies.

Mike enjoyed participating in a bowling league for many years, tying flies and jigs for his fishing excursions, tending his vegetable garden, listening to Marty Robbins, and sneaking his dog Tootie bites of food off his dinner fork.

Mike valued lifelong friendships, especially his fishing buddies and partners in crime. He lived a simple, full life rooted in family, hard work, and the outdoors.

Michael will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his wife Terri, his children Matt (Dana) Pearson, Cami (Jonathan) Lane, and Carrie (Hector) Ocampo. His nine grandchildren, Trey, Victoria, Alexie, Carli, Josh, Olivia, Elliott, Kailee, and Austin. One great granddaughter Athena and a great grandson coming soon. Siblings, Blaine (Rena) Pearson, Gerald Pearson, Mary Ann Adams, Julie (Robert) Hyde and sister-in-law Brenda Pearson. Numerous extended family, and the many friends who were fortunate enough to share a riverbank, a campfire, or a quiet moment with him.

He is preceded in death by his father Dean Pearson, mother Harriet Pearson Ezola, stepfather Sheridan Ezola, brother Paul Pearson, and his lifelong friend and fishing buddy Steve Fisher.

Services for Michael’s celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 11th at 1 pm in the old Homedale High School gym. Please use the entrance on Idaho Avenue directly across from Betty Uda Park.