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Gerald Pearson (1942 - 1984) Gerald Pearson was born on July 3, 1942, and died on July 19, 1984. Tribute by Carol Lynn Pearson Source: Affinity, July 2000, pp.5-6. Gearld Pearson was and is a seeker. He came to this world with a huge assignment: how to navigate accepting his life as a gay man while being a member of the Mormon church, while being a husband to a woman he loved and father to four children he adored. He would never say he did all this perfectly, but he never gave up trying to do it with love. Gerald was born in Murray, Utah, fulfilled a mission for the LDS church to Australia, graduated with a BA degree from BYU drama. He and I first met when we both performed in the play, The Skin of Our Teeth. Every night when the curtain would go down and the music of the "polka" would come up, he would grab me and we would dance. I found myself waiting for those precious moments. "Gerald shone." That's the way I began the book I wrote about our life together, Goodbye, I love You. I was drawn to his light and his warmth as a moth to a candle. I could never have resisted him. The first gift he gave me was that light and that warmth and an invitation to share it. The second gift he gave me was publishing my first book, Beginnings. "Blossom, we've got to get these poems published," he said on our honeymoon. Discovering that no publisher was anxious or even remotely interested in publishing poetry, Gerald, impetuous fool that he always was, decided to become a publisher, borrowed two thousand dollars and set about printing and marketing this little book. Amazingly it sold, and laid the foundation for everything else in my writing career. The third gift Gerald gave me was four stunningly wonderful and interesting children, Emily, John, Aaron and Katy. I have seen in each of them gifts of brightness and enthusiasm that I know came from their father and I am grateful. Perhaps the biggest gift Gerald gave me was the invitation I never asked for but could not refuse, to walk with him into the valley of the shadow of death, pain, betrayal, forgiveness, love and redemption. He is mentioned in my daily prayers, and the prayer is for his continued growth and joy. I call him to mind now. He still shines. Please add your own tribute by sending an email to James Kent. See also:
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