Jack Pearson

Jack Warren Pearson, 87, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2026.

Jack was born on March 21, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska to Chester and Lucille (Cunningham) Pearson. Together with his sister Ginger, he spent his childhood in Omaha, including a year of being homeschooled as he recovered from polio. Jack held many jobs in his youth - delivering papers, doing construction, working in the Omaha stockyards, and serving as a car hop where he developed a lifelong love of ice cream. Jack was a proud graduate of Omaha's Central High School.

Jack graduated from Hastings College and the University of Nebraska Medical School. He married the love of his life, Sandra "Sandy" Viker on December 26, 1964, and started a family. Between completing his internship in Lincoln, Nebraska and doing his residency, Jack served for two years in the army, one of which was a year as a captain in the army in Vietnam. During his time there, Jack was a doctor in charge of 36 medics and received a bronze star for serving with valor in combat.

Jack completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. In 1973, the family moved to Fergus Falls and Jack joined Dr. Richard Ness in practice as an ophthalmologist. He spent 35 years helping generations of families see and loved his chosen career, which he never really saw as a "job."

Over the years, Jack was very involved in the Fergus Falls community. He served for 25 years on the Lake Region Hospital board. He sat on the First Lutheran Church council for many years and served as church president twice, as well as taught Sunday School. Jack also served on the board of the Prairie Wetlands. He was a member of Kiwanis and after his retirement he read for the blind, delivered Meals on Wheels, and volunteered for hospice.

Jack bought his first car when he was 14 years old and continued to love cars throughout his life; his most beloved car was his orange vinyl top 1971 Datsun 240Z. In addition to cars, Jack enjoyed many hobbies over the years. He loved photography and took tens of thousands of photos. He took up sailing after meeting Sandy which helped him decide on Fergus Falls as a place to settle down. He enjoyed bicycling, cross country skiing, working outdoors in the yard, and puttering at the family cabin on Ottertail Lake. In his later years, he counted walking his dog Moe and reading among his favorite past-times, along with spending lots of time with family.

Jack was always open to adventure and traveled to many places throughout his life. While his kids were at home, there were many family trips. And after his retirement, he and Sandy traveled all over the world together and with friends. Jack and Sandy also instilled love of travel in their grandchildren, taking them two at a time on special trips all over the U.S.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Lucille, sister Ginger, brother-in-law Chris Crowder, and brother-in-law David Viker.

Jack shared 61 years of marriage with Sandy. Together they raised three children, Kristen (Joe) Swanson of Saint Paul, Eric (Nichole) Pearson of Grand Forks, and Kari (Adam) Vaughn of Fergus Falls. In addition to his wife and children, Jack is survived by twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild: Oliver and Oskar Swanson; Kelsey (Ellert) Adamek, Anneka, Jack, Luke, Greta, and Tryg Pearson; Charles, Vanessa, William, and James Vaughn; and Lucy Adamek.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Jack's life of service with a memorial to the Lake Region Healthcare Foundation or First Lutheran Church or the cause of your choice.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026 at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with a visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Doctor Ruth Hetland

Military Participation: Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30

Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com