Rice R. Pearson

Rice R. Pearson, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Fayetteville Health & Rehab. He was born on May 3, 1926, in Tyler, Texas, to Mathew M. Pearson and Dollie Thigpen Pearson. Rice served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to Texas where he attended ATM and earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering. He married Marilyn Gatewood in 1954 and they had two children. The family lived in Bartlesville, Okla., where Rice worked as a surveyor and estimator for Phillips 66. In 1969, they moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked for M.W. Kellogg. Rice and Marilyn retired in 1996 and moved to Bella Vista, Ark. Rice was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and three brothers. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Pearson of Bella Vista, Ark.; one son, Bryan Pearson of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Lisa Guenthert of Katy, Texas; and two grandchildren, Coryn VanEgmond and Elizabeth VanEgmond. A gathering of family and friends will be planned at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Bella Vista Public Library Foundation, PO Box 5308, Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.