Lennart Pearson

Dateline-Clinton, SC

Lennart Pearson died on the morning of September 28, 2012. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Linea and Gunnar Pearson. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1951. He earned a B.A. Degree in English from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois in 1955. He spent two years at New College in Edinburgh, Scotland, which was part of the University of Edinburgh. He earned a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary Richmond, VA in 1959, a Master of Theology at Union Theological Seminary in 1965, and a Master of Science in Library Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC in 1967. He completed a Doctor of Ministry at Union Theological Seminary in 1972.
He began his ministry at Opequon Memorial Presbyterian Church in Winchester, Virginia from 1960-1964, where he was ordained on January 10, 1960 in Winchester Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. He continued to serve as supply in Presbyterian churches in Virginia and South Carolina ending his Presbyterian service as stated supply for Lisbon Presbyterian Church, Mountville, SC from 1984-1988.
He took Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church as Deacon in 1989. In 1990 until his death he served as Priest in the Episcopal Church. From 1990-1991 he was the Interim Rector at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Clinton, SC. From 1991-2001 he was Priest-In-Charge at the Church of the Nativity, supplying there as needed for a few more years.
He was Director of the Library at Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, 1968-1997, retiring in 1997. He was a Professor of Old and New Testament in the Religion Department and Swedish in the Language Department throughout these years, retiring from teaching in 2001, continuing to fill in for a few more years.
He was an author, writing articles on wide and varied topics, about thirty-two publications, some self-published books. One of his articles was written in Swedish, “Hemresan” which was published in Markarydbygden (Del 8) 35-57, 1998, Markaryd, Sweden. It is now in book form and being sold in Sweden.
He was honored with a number of awards. In 1974, he received a “Distinguished Service Award” from Presbyterian College for “making the James H. Thomason Library a living reality.” In 1996, he was awarded the “Christian Action in Service” Award from the South Carolina Christian Action Council for service to the community (related to the Susan Smith murder trial). In 1997, he was named South Carolina’s “Librarian of the Year” and, on the occasion of his retirement, colleagues and friends established “The Lennart Pearson Sacred Choral Collection Endowment” at Presbyterian College. In December 2001, a brass plaque was installed by the congregation at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Union, SC which states: The Reverend Lennart Pearson, Faithful Priest of this Parish, 1991-2001. A scholarly priest of the church deeply rooted in her traditions, who preached and taught that mankind might accept the faith of Christ and his church. He never grew despondent and possessed the wonderful gift of hope. In Christ he found his food, his strength and his stay. “Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth.” Ps xxvi. 8
He married Carol Landon Pearson on August 4, 1956 and they started their life together in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was Assistant Minister at London Road Church. He is survived by three children: Linnea Pearson Wilcox and her husband John Howard Wilcox in Westerville, Ohio; Ian David Pearson and his wife JoAnna Stewart Pearson in Fort Mill, SC; and Andrew Lennart Pearson and his wife Maureen Brett Pearson in Bridgewater, VA. He has seven grandchildren: Sarah Linnea Wilcox and her husband Jose “Flaco” Carrau, Susan Renee Wilcox, David John Wilcox; Mary Brianna Pearson and Matthew Lennart Pearson; Laura Maureen Pearson and Erin Elizabeth Pearson.
Visitation: Gray Funeral Home, Clinton, SC, on Tuesday, October 2 from 6-8 pm, and All Saints Episcopal Church on Wednesday, October 3 from 11:30 am- 12:45 pm, prior to the funeral service at 1 pm, with graveside service following immediately.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to: All Saints Episcopal Church, Clinton, SC; Church of the Nativity, Union, SC; and the Office of Advancement at Presbyterian College designated for the “Lennart Pearson Sacred Choral Collection Endowment.”
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton