- Date Of Birth: June 9, 1948
- Date Of Death: October 23, 2021
- State: Minnesota
Richard Frank Pearsall journeyed home on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021, from his home in Obaashiing, MN. He was born on June 9th, 1948, in Philadelphia, PA to Benjamin and Berniece Pearsall.
Richard grew up in Philadelphia. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Army. He was deployed to Vietnam and while there he earned several medals, including a Purple Heart. He participated in Tet Offense. Over his career he worked for the VA, IHS, and the USAF as a nuclear power plant inspector, radiologist, and a biomedical engineer. He retired to be a stay-at-home dad with Paula. In later years, he worked for Red Lake School District as an IT Specialist, Red Lake Nation, and as facility manager at TRF 7 Clans Casino. His home and heart were among the Obaashiing people, he loved Obaashiing.
Richard enjoyed a lot of hobbies including cameras and photography, computers, reading anything he could, traveling and meeting people, learning the Ojibwe culture and language, in which he was a true believer.
Richard’s greatest passion was making sure his baby girl had everything she needed or wanted. Paula Ann was his pride and joy. He loved her with all his heart and then some.
Richard had 11 grandchildren of which he was extremely proud of their success in life, academics, sports, or whatever it was they were involved in, it was never a small event. Christmas at grandpa’s was unbelievable for the kids.
Richard was our husband, father, grandpa, uncle, friend and meant everything to us, his family. We love you so much and will miss you forever.
Gi ga waa bamin Ogitchidaa. Gizhawenindiwin.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Berniece Pearsall; brother, Clifford Pearsall; niece, Sydney Pearsall; nephew, Trevor Johnson; brothers-in-law, Thomas Johnson, and Stephen “Skup” Thunder; and best friends, Thomas Lussier, Giles Hart, and Lee Lussier, Sr.
Richard leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Lois Johnson of Ponemah, MN; daughters, Paula Ann Pearsall of Baraboo, WI, and Shannon Jetter of Washington D.C.; sons, Joey (Jolyn) Johnson, Sr., Larry Johnson, and Bruce (Jill) Taylor all of Ponemah, MN; 11 grandchildren, Stephen, Karlea, Lakiah, Joey, Jr., Anthony, Raylynn Rose, his baby Kallea, Jack Hart, Jaiden Whitefeather, Callea Hope Taylor, Blake Jetter, James Beaulieu III, and a grandson expected in 2022; many relatives and friends in Obaashiing and Philadelphia.
Pallbearers will be his sons and nephews, Joey Johnson, Bruce Taylor, Gary James Nelson, Harley Johnson, Tony Nelson, Gary Lee Nelson, Jr., Matthew Johnson, and Todd Stillday. Honorary pallbearers will be Christianna Thunder, Darcey Bernaise, Ole Spears, Theresa Lussier, Wilfred Yepa, Marcel Johnson, Jr., Gary Nelson, Sr., Joseph Ogema, Beverly Johnson, Larry Johnson, 4-star Warrior Society, all his family and friends, and the people of Obaashiing.
