Steven “Steve” Pearson, age 73 of Cowan, passed into glory from his home on April 4th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Steve was born on May 11th, 1950 and grew up a proud son of Cowan. He spent his childhood days with the boys of Cowan playing ball, riding bikes, and getting into the kind of mischief that made great stories later in life. Steve loved horses, especially his childhood pony, Blue, and lived the life of a young cowboy working summers at his grandmother’s ranch in Bandera, Texas. Steve graduated from Sewanee Military Academy in 1968 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 1972. He remained an active alumnus in both schools. He joined Sverdrup Technology, Inc. in 1973 following an active-duty assignment in the U.S. Army. He served in progressive management and engineering assignments in Tullahoma and around the world, including Detroit, Michigan; Seoul, Korea; Livermore, California; and Canberra, Australia. From 1999 to 2001 Steve served as the Project Manager for the Department of Energy’s $2.5B National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In prior years he served as project manager for the DaimlerChrysler $3 Billion Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. At different times he led engineering projects for technical facilities in the automotive and aerospace industries at home and abroad. Steve retired after serving as General Manager at Arnold Engineering Development Center. Steve married the love of his life, Rose, in 1970 and they spent their lives restoring and improving their historic home on Georgia Crossing Road. Steve’s interests were abundant and ever-expanding. Vacations and travel always included stops at museums, cemeteries, and historic landmarks. He loved history and served as president of the Franklin County Historical Society. When Steve wasn’t working, he was drawn to the mountains, whether he was skiing in Lake Tahoe, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, or spending time with his family at his rustic cabin. Steve was firm in his faith and a devoted parishioner at St. Agnes’ Episcopal Church in Cowan. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Alton and Emelin Pearson and brother-in-law, Rand Hicks. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Rose Sernicola Pearson, children, Laura (Bob) McDonald, Jarod Pearson, and Mary (Bruce) Smith, siblings, Jimmy (Linda) Pearson, Suzanne Hicks, Mark (Tammy) Pearson and Drew (Betsy) Pearson, grandchildren, Abigail (Randy) Patterson, Pearson Garner, Zach (Olivia) Smith, Montana Smith, and Isaiah Smith, great granddaughter, Juniper Smith and several nieces and nephews. For all who knew and loved him, Steve had the self-discipline of steel, a brilliant mind, a heart of gold, and the true spirit of a cowboy. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. A Christian burial service with military honors will be held on Sunday, April 7th, 2024, 3:30 p.m. at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery. Jarod Pearson, Bruce Smith, Zach Smith, Isaiah Smith, Pearson Garner, and Bob McDonald will serve as pallbearers. Memorial gifts may be sent to the St. Agnes’ Altar Guild, PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
