Henry "Hank" James Pearson, Sr

Henry James Pearson, Sr., 84, of Cocoa Beach FL, unexpectedly passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Henry (Hank) James Pearson, Sr. was born in Van Nuys, CA on January 22, 1940, to the late William Jackson Pearson, Sr. and Amy Elizabeth Harris Pearson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his four siblings, Katherine Pearson Hall, Judith Pearson Kiser, Jacqueline Pearson, and Edward Beach Pearson, and half-brother William Jackson Pearson, Jr.

When Hank was three years old he moved to San Francisco, CA. Shortly thereafter, his father died leaving his mother to raise five children under the age of nine. Hank played baseball for Galileo High School in San Francisco. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force for four years and ended his tour of duty at MacDill AFB, FL in 1962 as a jet engine mechanic. While at MacDill he met and married Mary Elizabeth Bowes in 1960. They were married at St Jude’s Catholic Church in St. Petersburg and were happily married for 64 years.

Returning to San Francisco he attended San Francisco City College for two years while he was employed full time as a jet engine mechanic for United Airlines at the San Francisco Airport. During this time in San Francisco he obtained his private pilot license and flight instructor rating.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Teresa Marie Pearson of Christiana, TN; son, Henry James Pearson, Jr. (Debbie) of Merritt Island, FL; granddaughter, Nycole Joi Pearson Bourk (Brandon) of Manchester, TN; and grandson Henry James Pearson III of Merritt Island, FL. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carole Bowes Waygood of St. Petersburg, FL with whom he shared his love for baseball, and brother-in-law William Henry Bowes of St. Petersburg, FL.  He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews in Florida, California and Washington state.

In 1969, he moved to Cocoa Beach, FL, and taught flying at Patrick Air Force Base.

He became a member of Our Saviours Catholic Church where he was confirmed, was a participant in Engagement and Marriage Encounter, Cursillo and was a Eucharistic Minister. His children graduated from Our Saviours Catholic School.

In 1970 he bought his own airplanes and taught flying from Merritt Island Airport for many years. In addition, he bought a rental car agency in Cocoa Beach starting out with one location and thirteen cars. By 1986 he had purchased the franchises for Budget Rent-A-Car in Brevard County and Orlando, and opened seven rental car locations as well as three car lots throughout Central Florida, operating 1500 rental cars and 200 employees. Through that he gained relationships with many NASA employees as well as many of the astronauts.

He sold everything back to Budget in 1987 and opened car lots in Merritt Island, Cocoa and Titusville operating as Easy Credit Auto Sales. The remaining Easy Credit Auto Sales lot is in Cocoa and is operated and managed by his son, Henry J. Pearson, Jr.

Hank also had his small vessel captains license and navigation license for sailing and enjoyed sailing with friends and family.

He loved BASEBALL and the SF Giants, flying, sailing, his mountain home in Murphy, NC and traveling. Up until the time of his death he continued to attend the local Playhouses in Brevard County.

Most importantly he was a loyal husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and was willing to give a hand up to anyone in need.

In Lieu of flowers you may give to Our Saviours Catholic Church and/or Transformation Life Center - tlcny.org (http://tlcny.org/)

His Service will be held at Our Saviours Catholic Church located at 5301 N Atlantic Ave

Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 on July 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm with burial at the Church of Our Saviours Memorial Garden directly after the service .

Reception will following in the Angel Room at OSC. Casual attire Please.