Arvid Arnold Pearson

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Arvid Arnold Pearson, born Aug. 3, 1931, departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior Aug. 4, 2017, one day after his 86th birthday.

Arvid was born to August and Ruth Pearson in Silverhill, Alabama, the last addition to their family. Arvid attended Silverhill Elementary School, and graduated from Robertsdale High School in 1949.

Arvid joined the United States Army in July 1952, and was stationed in Germany from 1952 to 1954, where he was a carpool mechanic, an experience he talked about very fondly. After an honorable discharge in June 1954, Arvid returned home, where he and his brother Percy farmed and raised livestock on the family's Silverhill farm.

Always a whiz with machinery, Arvid eventually opened his single-man business, Pearson's Repair Shop, where he repaired and rebuilt any and all things mechanical, from lawnmowers, cars and trucks to tractors and harvester combines. If it moved, he could fix it.

In his spare time, Arvid pursued learning about aviation, and served in the Civil Air Patrol for a number of years.

He served as a trustee and member of the building committee of his church, First Baptist Church of Silverhill, and served on many boards of review for Boy Scouts in Silverhill's Troop 42. For many years, Arvid gave of his time and talents in the Silverhill Volunteer Fire Department.

He was the last child left at home, and he faithfully cared for his mother, Ruth, until her passing in 1998. Arvid never married, but he had a wonderful, beautiful and loving relationship with his companion and best friend for more than the last half of his life, Esther Hartshorn of Fairhope, Alabama.

Arvid was preceded in death by his parents, August and Ruth; his brothers, Donald, Percy and Nolan; and his sister, Dorothy.

He is survived by a cousin, John Edward Shumate; a sister-in-law, Velma Pearson; nephews, Byron Pearson, Derek Pearson, Keith Kanne and Ken Kanne; and nieces, Myra Hanson, Elizabeth Hellmich, Carolyn Salac and Sandra Hutson.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Silverhill First Baptist Church, with Rev. Tim Smith officiating.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be in the Silverhill Cemetery, Silverhill, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Memorial or Building funds of First Baptist Church, Silverhill, Alabama.

Arrangements by Mack Funeral Home, Highway 59, Robertsdale, Alabama, www.mackfuneral.com.