Daniel Joe Pearson

Daniel Joe Pearson of Emporia died on Sunday, August 4, 2024, in rural Lyon County.   He was 54.

Dan was born on February 11, 1970, the son of Clare and Shirley Murphy Pearson.  He married Sara Kopfman on April 10, 1999, in Emporia.  She survives.

Dan will be dearly missed by his family members including his wife, Sara; son, Cade (Payton Redeker) Pearson of Emporia; daughter, Sadie (AJ Navarro) Pearson of Emporia; mother, Shirley Pearson of Emporia; sisters, Mary Ann (Steve) Sanford of Emporia, Deanna (Marc) Wagaman of Emporia; Cindy (Keith) Rooke of Florida, Lindy (David) Miller of Vassar; Angie (David) Cringan of Florida.  Ray and Karen Kopfman, father and mother-in-law of Texas and brother-in-law Von Kopfman, Texas.  13 nieces, nephews and 23 great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father Clare Pearson.

Dan spent his entire adult life working outdoors.  He was self-employed as a fence builder.  In the past several years he worked for Fowler Farms. He enjoyed being outdoors and taking care of and working with the cattle.  He cussed the heat and the cold but would not have wanted to do anything else.  Dan did not know a stranger and could carry on a conversation with anyone.  He will be remembered for his story telling and it is up to those who heard the story to determine how much it was embellished.  He loved all things rodeo and had the ability to remember every horse he rode or anyone else rode and every steer he turned. He loved reminiscing about the rodeo days, and he is surely in Heaven mounted on one of his favorites.

Dan had a gruff exterior but those who truly knew him would tell you that he was really a big teddy bear, He had such a big heart and cared deeply for his family and friends although he didn’t always tell you.  He showed that in ways that were comfortable for him.  He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.  He loved all kids and especially loved teaching anyone who wanted to learn how to swing a rope and catch a roping dummy.

Dan considered his children his greatest accomplishments in life and was incredibly proud of them. He for sure was not done teaching them all they needed to know but things don’t always happen on our timeline.

Per Dan’s wishes cremation is planned with a Celebration of Life to be held Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the Hartford Community Building, 117 Commercial Street, Hartford, Kansas 66854. Memorial contributions to the Eagle Creek Saddle Club may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.