Caulfield man dies in one-vehicle crash

Johnny Pearson, 36, of Caulfield, died in a Jan. 25, crash on H Highway, about four miles west of Caulfield.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s online crash report, Pearson was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on H Highway around 12:27 p.m. that Saturday afternoon when he traveled off the right side of the roadway.

In an attempt to control the vehicle, he pulled the truck back onto the highway, overcorrected and drove off the left side of the roadway, where he struck a utility pole and overturned. Johnnie was then was thrown from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County Deputy Coroner Ed Doiron.  

He was not wearing a seatbelt, the report says. The crash was investigated by MSHP Tpr. C. A. Edens. It marks the fourth fatality of MSHP’s Troop G, compared with zero at this time last year. 

Johnnie’s mother Lynn Pearson told the Times that Johnnie was a fighter from an early age. She said he won a fierce battle with cancer at the age of 12 after eight long years of battling the disease. 

“Growing up with three siblings, him being the youngest, Johnnie couldn’t help but be full of life. There are so many cherished memories shared with his siblings and cousins,” she said. 

Johnnie attended school at Bakersfield, graduating from Bakersfield High School in 2006. 

“During his time in school, he developed a lifelong relationship with Jesse Allen, Donnie Bean and Kyle Cotter,” his mom said.

Lynn said that Johnnie spent his time as a young man with his grandfather Raymond Pearson, who he called “Papa Ray” along with his father Robert Pearson. She said that’s where he found his love of “mechanicin’.”

“...whether it was working on dozers, heavy machinery, vehicles, motorcycles or whatever needed fixing, Johnnie was the guy to call,” she said. “If you knew Johnnie, you knew there was not much he couldn’t fix. Many people would say he was a jack-of-all-trades. When you needed a helping hand, Johnnie was your man.”

Fishing was another past time Johnnie enjoyed, and in the summer, he could usually be found kayaking and fishing.

He loved his family and spending time with him. His nieces and nephews referred to him as “the funny uncle,” she said. “He was always making them laugh.”

He married Sherie Pearson July 15, 2020, and he fell in love with their family including her children and their grandchildren. He was fond of being called “Grandpa,” and made many special memories including teaching his grandson Waylon how to ride motorcycles. 

A graveside memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at the Elijah Cemetery. All who knew him are invited to attend. See full obituary, at left. 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423