Kermit Clark 'Kerm' Pearson, 79

Kermit Clark "Kerm" Pearson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, passed away from cancer at 79 years, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, at the family home in Somers.

He was born on June 23, 1925, in Spokane, to Elza and Pearl (Kreiling) Pearson, the only boy in a family of five.

An avid outdoorsman, he spent his youth duck hunting with his dad, a passion he enjoyed to the end of his life. He was educated in the Spokane schools and graduated from Washington State University in 1949. In high school he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He continued his involvement in scouting when he moved to Butte where he established a veterinary practice.

In Butte, he met and married the love of his life, Laila Stranahan, and together they raised six kids. While attending college in Pullman, Wash., he joined the ski team, a sport then in its infancy, and later made it a family sport, teaching the whole family how to ski.

During the first half of his veterinary career Kerm practiced large animal medicine. He enjoyed being in the country helping ranchers and farmers - people he really admired. Veterinarians were not numerous in those years and Kerm's territory included a big chunk of the state surrounding Butte.

In 1964, he moved the family to Whitehall, and went to work as a state veterinarian traveling the state to inspect the large sheep ranches. In 1966, he became one of them when he bought a band of sheep for the ranch near Whitehall.

He returned to veterinary medicine with a partner in Missoula from 1968 to 1970. Then he moved to Kalispell and established the Flathead Animal Clinic, a small animal practice. In 2001, he sold the practice to his associate, Kelly Rankin. His many clients miss his great technical skill, love of animals and gentle bedside manner. Kerm selflessly worked long hours for many years to provide his family with a nice life.

Going camping near a good spot of water, with a few trout for Kerm to catch provided the family with budget-conscious vacations around Butte and Whitehall.

Moving to the Flathead allowed him to enjoy one of his favorite activities - sailing. He was a charter member of the North Flathead Yacht Club and spent many years helping with races and other activities.

He held several positions, including commodore. Of his three boats, he liked his Thistle the best. He campaigned it in class racing all over the Northwest. He traveled to Florida and convinced the Thistle class to hold their national championship on Flathead Lake in 1983. It was such a success they returned in 1987.

Kerm was involved in training dogs most of his life. In the last several years Kerm has enjoyed training his Chesapeakes, Maggie and Jiggs, for hunt tests and fall bird hunting. Kerm especially enjoyed September along the Hi-line with his dogs and hunting buddies, chasing huns and pheasants. His other passion has been fishing or hunting with his grandchildren and their parents.

In September he completed construction of a beautiful 17-foot hunting/fishing riverboat. He needed a bigger boat to haul a couple grandkids, some hunting or fishing gear, two goony brown dogs, and himself.

Kerm's family and friends honor his convictions, his enthusiasm for life, his energy and determination in the face of adversity, his quiet warmth and dry sense of humor. He has been a mentor for many and a role model for all that knew him.

One son, Randolph C. Pearson, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife for 52 years, Laila Pearson, of Somers; five children, David F. Pearson, and wife, Leslie, of Indian, Alaska, Darrielle Wyatt, and husband, Wally, of Homosassa, Fla., Jennifer Fisher and husband, Jeff, Timothy K. Pearson and wife, Barbara, and Benjamin W. Pearson, all of the Flathead Valley.

Also surviving are three sisters, Bobby Wylder and Margie Lindstrom of Washington, and Loey Siering of California; with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial reception for Kermit "Kerm" Clark Pearson will be held on Monday, Jan. 10, starting at 5 p.m. in the Winchester Room at the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell.

The family suggests memorials may be made in Kerm's name to the Glacier Gun Club, P.O. Box 10382, Kalispell, MT 59904; or Hospice Home Health Options, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.