Dennis Jerome Pearson passed away peacefully at home in Oak Harbor, Wash., on the morning of Dec. 4, 2019 with his wife, Sharlene by his side. He was 81 years old.

Denny was born to Palma “Qvale” Siverson and Jon Edwin Pearson in Seattle, Wash. Denny grew up in Stanwood, Wash., where he graduated from Twin City High School in 1956. As a young boy he loved to trap, fish, hunt and was president of Future Farmers of America.

Denny met his future wife, Sharlene, in high school and they were married on Sept. 20, 1958. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Together they raised three children, Shawn, Denise and Patty, in Oak Harbor.

Denny graduated from Western Washington University in 1960 with a degree in education and, eventually, with a masters in education. He went on to get another masters in mathematics from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Denny and Shar arrived in Oak Harbor in 1960 as Denny started his teaching career as a high school math teacher. He also taught math at Skagit Valley College.

Denny was a lifetime commercial fisherman in Washington waters and Bristol Bay, Alaska. At one point he was asked to be the Canadian test fisherman. It was during this time he resigned from teaching to concentrate solely on commercial fishing. At age 5, Denny learned this trade from his father “Eddie.” He owned his first boat with his brother, Jack, while in high school.

Denny loved to golf, crab, dig clams, work out at the gym, was an avid sports fan and kept his mind sharp with Sudoku. In fact, a few days before he died, he was proud of the fact he was able to successfully complete a #5 Sudoku that had been stumping him. In his earlier days he was a runner, played on an adult basketball team, bowling teams and refereed basketball games. Denny and Shar played with the same bridge group for over 20 years.

While he was a larger than life personality who thrived on fun competition and personal challenges, he was a devoted family man, who hardly ever missed a sporting event of his grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

Denny is survived by his wife, Sharlene; children, Shawn and Rod Sullivan, of Oak Harbor, Denise and Peter Waller, of Anacortes, Wash., and Patricia Johnson, of Lynnwood, Wash.; grandchildren, Dallas (Hannah) Sullivan, Jake Sullivan, Kimberly Waller, Zachary Waller, Lucas Waller and Chase Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Hazen and Bailey Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Polly and Ed Pearson, and younger brother, Jack.

A memorial service and reception honoring and remembering Denny’s life will be held 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at Wallin Funeral Home, 1811 NE 16th Ave. (W. Cemetery Road) Oak Harbor, WA. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Dennis Pearson, the family suggests Whidbey Health Hospice Care.

Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor. Please visit Dennis’ page in our Book of Memories online at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences.