This is for all friends and family that have known and loved my husband, Timothy Pearson.

Some of you I only know by name, others by deeds and some I have actually met. I wanted to thank you for all the cards, emails and calls I have received.

When reading through all of the sentiments there were common threads that seemed to piece together the personality and character of the man that Timothy truly was. I wanted to share those with you here. Please feel free to leave a comment below to add your thoughts about Timothy.

~ Michelle

From Dan Morgan

December 18, 2011

It has taken a long time to write this because Tim was such a unique person and such an important part of my life. We became best friends at a time in life when friendships are intense and forever. I met Tim the first day of school at Tuscaloosa Junior High in 1955, the seventh grade. We were pretty much inseparable from then until we graduated from Tuscaloosa High six years later in 1961. We had more fun and laughs in each of those years than most people have in a lifetime. We shared primary interests in basketball, girls and goofing off. Tim was better at the first two. He had a basketball scholarship to Auburn and a seemingly unlimited number of wannabe girlfriends. As an athlete he was always a 100% player – I saw how he energized the Auburn team in a game against Kentucky in New Orleans. I also saw how popular he was when I visited him at Auburn. The summer after our sophomore year in college we taught swimming to 3–5 year olds from his mother's school. Tim was a Red Cross certified instructor / lifeguard. A couple of kids learned to swim and no one drowned. With the money from the swimming lessons we took a once in a lifetime trip to California with Henry by way of Las Vegas. Tim did 99% of the talking on the CB as we drove non-stop back to Tuscaloosa from San Diego.

Tim and I and our friends talked a lot about a lot of different things, but we didn't talk much about serious stuff, about God. Tim was always the one most likely to bring up something about Jesus, about what it meant to be a Christian. I know that issues of faith were on his mind even during high school and much more so as years passed. He made a total commitment to preaching the Gospel around the time of his thirtieth birthday. About that time we were both living in Colorado. He called one day to say that he needed a ride back to his house in the mountains. I asked what happened to his car. Tim said he sold it to cover living expenses, but he wasn't worried because he knew he was doing the right thing in making the commitment to preaching and that the Lord would help if he needed transportation. I don't think that he ever waivered from that commitment no matter how many difficulties he faced.

With his movie star looks, high energy and his charismatic personality he could have succeeded in any number of endeavors. He chose to be a professing Christian, a very difficult path for anyone. Even in a Christian country a professing Christian is usually out of sync with most people. I know that I did not always understand his ministry and we had some intense conversations about what it meant to be a Christian, but I also know that he was truly committed to preaching to any and all; to rich and poor, to black and white, to the leading citizens and to convicted felons serving time in prison. I know that he felt called to preach and he had even more intensity in his preaching than he had on the basketball court. He could maintain this intensity in his ministry because his loving wife Michelle shared his faith and provided the emotional and spiritual support that Tim needed.

A week or so before he died he we had a wonderful phone conversation; just like back in school when we saw each other every day. Tim seemed so happy and at peace. We talked about getting together in Tuscaloosa this fall and sharing some good times with old friends. I did visit Tuscaloosa during the beautiful autumn days of early November. Harry and Dick and everyone else talked about how Tim was such a Christian and how his life was so remarkable and way too short.

Tim, you know that the high school building has been torn down, but the old junior high is still standing. When I walked by there I had a clear image in my mind of the five foot tall bundle of energy that you were that first day of the seventh grade. I wish you could have been there with me. I will always treasure the memories of our times together. God bless you.

~ Dan Morgan, DENVER, Colorado

From Mik Anderson

One paragraph couldn’t even begin to explain or do justice for what this man lived and stood for.

Timothy was in a nutshell a spiritual mentor and revolutionary thinker that pushed me in a greater walk with Yahweh.

The last 10 + years with him either in person, or via his letters started a journey that will carry me till I cross over to see him.

I never was good with words but this says it all…

A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome time
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You're free at last

Every time I play this, I'm reminded of Tim...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owL_39B_1rk

~ Mik Anderson

From Paige McCallister

August 25, 2011

Dear Uncle Tim...I'm laughing as I think of your mom and my grandmother, Edra, and then your brother, John (JP), my dearest Daddy as they prepare for you to ascend to Heaven! WHAT A PARTY!! I'm as confident that they are there singing away as we've always known you would be there! Life's to short for regrets, so save me a seat at the party and we'll talk it all out later! Kiss them for me!

Aunt Michelle - PLEASE get in touch with me as soon as you can. paigemccallister@ymail.com

~ Paige McCallister, Birmimgham, Alabama

From Fred and Lara Jurik

Over the years I have had many dinners and conversations with ol’ Uncle T and I can tell you for sure that he loved the Lord. Sometimes he would tell me stories when he was a boy or about his basketball career in Australia. Timothy had an adventurous personality and was never afraid to give another guy a hug.

My wife Lara has often shared with me her fond memories of Michelle and Timothy taking her on a trip to California one summer and their drive through Las Vegas. I can only imagine the excitement of a fifteen year old driving through the desert and mountains on such a long journey. Timothy filled the void as a father figure for my wife not having a father around during her teenage years. One day that I will never forget is the day Timothy gave me a priceless gift when he stood next to my wife at the alter giving me her hand in marriage. For this, we will never forget you Timothy Pearson.

~ Fred and Lara Jurik

From Lisa

I knew him simply as Mr. Pearson for 5 years as he came to my workplace. He became the textbook definition of my regular customers, and he grew to be a treasured friend, who now will be greatly missed! I know he is now in the place he always spoke of, and is loving every moment of His presence.

~ Lisa, DFW, Texas

From Aimee Beske

I will never forget the time I spent with Timothy and his family. Although it was short, it made a huge impact on me. I will never forget his kindness and energy toward life, as well as his passion for God. I'm sure he is dancing on the streets of gold!

~ Aimee

From Josh

Timothy Pearson preached without excuse or apology. This man threw so many seeds on stony, thorned, and hard ground that if any of us truly looked we could still find some today waiting to be planted.

I can't say he saved me but he was working the fields when I got saved. He and Michelle were at so many events in my life, I I have them in family photos. I will miss my LOUD friend. The one who prayed in McDonalds like it was a Sunday morning prayer meeting. The one who called with a smile and tears. He taught me a lot in the 20 yrs I knew him. Since the bible clearly states we are rewarded for our service, I hope Timothy and Michelle invite me over to their house. I would imagine it being large with several crowns on display.

For those of you who didn't meet or know Mrs. Pearson, I can shed some light. She is the port Timothy launched from. Every night praying for a man who went here and there praying for us. I believe her to be stronger than him for the fact that Timothy got the Lords OK before moving where Michelle got on her knees simply trying to accept it. How much harder is it to support such a heavy stone in the Lords house. I thank you for lending him to the road trips where countless others were touched. Thank you for praying when he was sleeping in a car because his faith had taken him where the gas had yet to catch up. Thank you for paying the bills when some here including myself were enjoying the benefit of having a man of God at a wedding or a time of need. Thank you Michelle.

1 Corinthians 15:50-56, New International Version (NIV)

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[a]

~ Josh

From Tony Lewis

I have known Timothy for almost 25 years. Through those years Timothy and I have spent hours talking about family, human nature, travel, humorous situations, basketball... you-name-it. But without a doubt, most of our conversations were centered around God and His Word.

As I think back on Timothy’s life, I am certain, that I have witnessed God’s loving kindness and tender mercies continuously being poured out on Timothy’s very existence. Today Timothy has joined that great cloud of witnesses in heaven spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. He, along with all the others, is looking down and encouraging us to lay aside every weight and every sin that would hinder us from running this spiritual race with strength and endurance.

Death where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? Thanks be to God who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Cor. 15: 55, 57)

~ Tony Lewis, Brother-In-Law

From Brad Browne

Dear Michelle,

You and I have never met, and I only had the privilege of knowing Timothy a short while. but from the first time I met him, in the company of David Powell, at the Bristol Pointe mail boxes, I could tell he was a man of God. What a sweet, sweet nature. I looked forward to each of the following times we met and chatted, and was disappointed when he wasn't at the mail boxes when I was. I was shocked when David told me that Timothy had passed. Even in the few times he and I met, I knew he was someone I wanted to know better.

He was happily surprised when I told him my son had attended the U. of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Michelle, I want to pass on to you this poem titled The Dash by Linda Ellis. I've read it at several funerals and memorial services at our church. I hope it has the same meaning for you that has ministered to so many others. I'm giving a hard copy of it to David to give to you. I read of a preacher who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on his tombstone

From the beginning . . . To the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth,

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That he spent alive on Earth.

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

The cars. . . The house. . . The cash;

What matters is how we live and love,

And how we spend our dash. . .

From the little time Timothy and I spent conversing, it was obvious to me, he spent his dash superbly. I'm very sorry for your loss.

~ Brad Browne