HR0855 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0855 LRB098 20366 GRL 55958 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of George "Joe" Pearson, who passed away on February 11, 2014; and

WHEREAS, George "Joe" Pearson was born in Harrisburg on December 30, 1948; he earned his bachelor's degree and his masters's degree from Southern Illinois University and married Pamela Seright; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, George "Joe" Pearson opened the Village Pump Restaurant, Bar, and Hotel with his brother; he also opened Pearson Jewelry before joining the Arclar Company in 1987 and soon became the preeminent coal salesman in the United States; he was instrumental in seeing Arclar grow from 19 employees, producing 200,000 tons of coal per year, to 600 employees, producing 6,000,000 tons per year; he was also a partner in Power Inc., a coal loading facility in Shawneetown and served as President of Eagle River Coal LLC in Mitcheville; he served as Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Coal Association, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, board member of the Illinois Coal Council, and board member of the Illinois Coal Development Board; he was known around the Illinois State Capital as "the face of coal"; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work in coal, George "Joe" Pearson became part owner of Farmers State Bank in Alto Pass in 1994; he aided its expansion to additional cities and remained on the Board of Directors following the selling of his shares; and

WHEREAS, George "Joe" Pearson was a member of the First United Methodist Church; he provided scholarships and supported local ball teams and was very supportive of his community; and

WHEREAS, George "Joe" Pearson is survived by his wife, Pamela; his brothers, John "Spider" (Pam) Pearson and Jim (Suzie) Pearson; his niece, Stephanie (Gene) Wise; his great-nephew, Dillon Wise; and his nephews, David (Kendra) Pearson and Mike Pearson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of George "Joe" Pearson, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of George "Joe" Pearson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.