Earskin Pearson

With a ready smile and a great sense of humor, Earskin Pearson lived a life rich in family and friends. Earskin was a man who led with his heart and found much happiness in sharing time with those he loved. He was a natural host who enjoyed making people laugh and feel at home. Whether riding his bicycle, tending his garden, going to movies, watching an old Western on TV, or sharing a conversation with a friend, Earskin was easily content. A cherished husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, Earskin will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

1953 proved to hold many exciting firsts. The polio vaccine was developed, and color television sets, transistor radios, and Corvette cars were on sale. While the first James Bond novel made its debut, Peter Pan dominated the theaters. Junk food was becoming more and more popular as kids were all too excited about Cheez Whiz, “Leggo my Eggo,” and earning a prize from their Cracker Jack box. Instead of playing video games or computers, kids played in the streets until the sun went down. Football, Hula Hooping, skipping rope, card games, and the American Bandstand show were particular favorites for the Pearson family. Nowhere was there greater cause to celebrate the possibilities of hope than in the hearts of Earskin Pearson and Preenie Taylor as they welcomed their son Earskin Jr. to their family on February 26, 1953.

Growing up in East St. Louis, Illinois, Earskin enjoyed the good company of his siblings, Sam, Robbie, Georgia, and Lawrence. At a young age, Earskin began working with his father in the tire business, where he developed the strong work ethic he held his entire life. He learned to cook from his mother and enjoyed making spaghetti, collard greens, and green beans. A good barbeque was his favorite.

Earskin graduated from East Side High School in East St. Louis and was the proud father of five children: Shaundreta, Shonda, Terrill, Marco, and Norbell. He loved his family very much, knew the importance of being with one another, and enjoyed attending family reunions, even when it meant traveling to them by himself.

While growing up, Earskin went to school with Clenteria Haynes. After she moved to Michigan to be with her parents, she would return to East St. Louis to visit relatives from time to time. During one of these visits, she and Earskin ran into each other and began dating. After dating for a year, the couple married on November 20, 1992, in Kalamazoo.

Despite the normal ups and downs most married couples face, Earskin and Clenteria were good for and to each other. For several years, Earskin worked at Applebees’s Restaurant on Westnedge Ave. and concentrated on saving money. He did a little of everything and enjoyed it all. He especially enjoyed cooking, hosting a barbeque, and making people laugh. Unfortunately, a back injury forced him to retire in 2009.

Earskin found joy in many things, including rollerskating, fishing, animals, and traveling. When he was younger and Clenteria’s friends first met him, they thought he was the best roller skater. He welcomed any opportunity to go fishing at local inland lakes and on Lake Michigan. A true animal lover, Earskin and Clenteria argued when he brought a stray cat home. She wasn’t fond of cats, but 14 years later, the cat is still around. Over the years, Earskin enjoyed making trips to Arizona, Las Vegas, and New York, as well as taking cruises to the Bahamas and Jamaica.

Though life feels far less certain in the absence of Earskin’s steadfast companionship, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying his legacy of love and laughter forward. In each moment we cast our lines, welcome a stranger as a friend, share a belly laugh, or gather for a delicious barbeque, we keep Earskin’s memory alive and inspire others as he so inspired each of us.

Earskin Pearson died on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Members of his family include his wife, Clenteria. 5 children: Shaundreta Taylor, Shanna Denise Weston, Terrill Cortex Weston, Marco Pearson, and Norvell; 5 grandchildren: Damika, Marco, Marques, Tajah, Jirah; siblings: Robbie Pearson and Lawrence (Sally) Booker; special cousins: Stan Miller, Unis Earl Boddie, and Annie; special friends: Donald Lee and Tony Bass; and a host of cousins and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Georgia Carraway and Sam Pearson.

Life Story Services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and at a reception immediately following the service in the Life Story Center, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Earskin’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.

I (Clenteria) want to thank everyone for their gifts, friendship, and spiritual support at this difficult time. I did all I could do and Jehovah will do the rest. I also get comfort from his word, the bible.

Those sleeping in death are in our Father Jehovah's memory. "In the Christ all will be made alive. - I Corinthians 15:22

When that happens, we will all shout, " Death is swallowed up forever." - I Corinthians 15:54