Byron's obituary--

Willard Byron "Barnie" Pearson

Willard Byron “Barnie” Pearson, of Roscommon, Michigan, age 74, died August 4, 2015, at his home.

A memorial service and celebration was held on Friday, August 28, at 11:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Roscommon. Walsh Funeral Home, Roscommon, handled arrangements.

Born October 13, 1940, in Chelsea, to Willard DeRoy and Juanita Faye (Blackford) Pearson, he began his musical training at an early age. Following graduation from Chelsea High School in 1958, he attended the University of Michigan where he was a member of the Symphony Band which represented the United States on a 15-week goodwill tour of Russia and the Middle East on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. He left the University of Michigan in 1962 and joined the Marine Corps, where he became a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band where he was a featured soloist and first trumpet in the White House Orchestra performing for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. After discharge from the Marine Corps in 1966, he held several positions with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony. He also performed with other groups including the Ohio Chamber Orchestra and the Metropolitan Brass Quintet. Mr. Pearson continued his education at the University of Michigan from 1975 to 1978, completing his undergraduate degree as well as the Master of Music degree in performance and the course work for his Doctorate of Music degree. From 1979 until he retired in 1997, he was a professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and was later appointed Emeritus Professor of Trumpet. Following his retirement, he moved to Roscommon County where he was able to pursue his favorite pastimes of hunting, fishing and competitive trapshooting. In 2011, on the 50th anniversary of the Russian Tour, he was inducted into the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Grayling Sportsman’s Club, Michigan Trapshooting Association, Amateur Trapshooting Association and National Rifle Association. He was also a past member of the Masons, American Federation of Musicians and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 3201, Houghton Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Alice. Surviving are his fiancée, Julie J. Chambers of Roscommon; son, James Gilbert Pearson of Glendale, CA; daughter, Catherine J. Pearson of Springfield, MO; two grandsons, Aaron and Noah Pearson; sister, Elaine White of Hale; and a life-long friend, James Grau of Chelsea.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Alumni Society or the American Diabetes Association.