"When it comes to coaching, it is hard to please everyone all of the time. In my time as a player for Coach P and later coaching alongside him, I never met a player who didn't like and respect Monte. Incredible. My favorite was when he would get upset, but being such a caring and non-vulgar person, he would just grab and twist his hat, and say something like, "OH, YOU DUM-DUM! Now why would you do that?" Irreplaceable. I will miss Monte greatly in the halls of Bishop Garrigan."
In loving memory of
Monte "Coach P" Pearson
February 21, 1939 - February 22, 2019
In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Bishop Garrigan Schools to be used to help facilitate projects. Coach P will remain in all of our memories as we hold onto our favorite stories and conversations over the years.
Monte Carl Pearson was born February 21, 1939 in Algona, Iowa to Carl S. Pearson and Alma (Greiner) Pearson. He passed at the age of 80, on the three year anniversary of Gene Meister's death. This is a date that was important to Monte and he was fully ready to join his Savior in heaven.
Monte's (or Coach P as he was known by many) passion was Catholic Schools and sports, especially the sport of Baseball. He worked at numerous schools upon graduation from Loras College in 1961. He graduated from St. Cecelia's Academy in 1957 and was proud to be one of the final classes to graduate from there. He participated in Baseball and Basketball while in HS. In addition he earned a Master's in Guidance from UNI in 1972. He had the distinction of living in his current house since 1940.
Over the years he taught HS History, Theology, Latin and PE, as well as teaching JH Theology, Social Studies and PE. He served many schools as a Guidance Counselor but didn't need that title officially, as he served many students in that capacity over the years. Monte coached Softball, Track, Football, Cross Country, Basketball and his first love of Baseball. He is one of the winningest baseball coaches in Iowa High School Baseball history, serving on many teams as head and assistant that won 25 games plus. Some of his best memories would be the 6 straight state tournaments that he coached with Gene Meister at Bancroft, where they won titles in 85 and 86. He also cherished the state appearances at Bishop Garrigan in 99 and 2012. He has been part of BG baseball since the summer of 1992, when he moved back to be by his mom before she passed away. Coach P could remember scores and stats from almost any game and certainly didn't need quikstats to recall any former player's batting average or strikeouts. It was easy to marvel at his love for knowledge and the ease at which he could remember details and even the most random of information.
He enjoyed his many vacations which usually included a Major League Baseball game, a few times to the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Louisville Slugger Factory. Some other highlights would be numerous trips to Colorado, Niagara Falls, New Mexico, California and Vikings Training Camp in Mankato. Some of his favorite teams were the Dodgers-especially the Brooklyn Dodgers where he met many on a famous train ride back in the 50's. He enjoyed being an avid Vikings fan and could accurately remember every year they disappointed not only him but many a Vikings fan, by coming up short. He was very fond of the UNI Panthers as well and took in many football games there. He was an avid runner up until about the age of 70, his typical run included Call Park as that loop was about 2.5 miles. He never met a stranger and even had a Pizza named after him at Premier, which included Italian Sausage and double bacon. Monte was an adopted member of the Meister family as he took in many family events over the years, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
Monte was very active in the Catholic Church, especially at St. Cecelia where he served as Lector, Greeter, Server and EMHC. Over the years he spent many hours in Prayer in the Adoration Chapel at St. Cecelia. He was active in his financial support of many Religious Orders and also special causes after disasters. He had many stops along his teaching/coaching career, including St. Joseph-Dunlap, St. Patrick-Perry, Clarence, South Tama, Scranton, Paton-Churdan, Goldfield, Ayrshire, Bancroft St. John, Hubbard-Radcliffe,Granville Spalding, and of course Seton-within the Bishop Garrigan School System. Since his retirement in 1998 he has stayed active helping to coach the many Baseball Teams at Bishop Garrigan. By his account, for the years he helped with BG baseball he was at as many as 150 games per summer.
He is survived by cousins on the Pearson side including, Doris Austin (Austin, TX),Verne Austin (Birmingham, AL), Meredith Abdo (Mankato, MN), Merrill Austin (Austin, TX), Edward Austin (Simi Valley, CA), Doug Austin (Murrieta, CA), Jennifer Elliott (Murrieta, CA), Stan Finnell (Clovis, NM) and Jay Abdo; close family friends, The Meister's, as he has known them since 1970. He is also survived by the many students, athletes and friends that he has had the privilege of serving and getting to know. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, numerous Aunts and Uncles and some cousins.
Tributes
"Monte will have a special place in our hearts always .Rest in peace Monte "
"Monte was one of my father's lifelong friends. The two of them had a lifelong friendship are reunited now in heaven. I am thankful for his friendship to my father and our family over the years. He had a profound influence on our family and one that will never be forgotten. Reading these tributes of this great man remind me of the many stories that my father told me about him. "
"Sending my sympathy and prayers to the family of Monte Pearson. I have a lot of fond memories of Monte. He was our basketball coach and teacher at CLARENCE Iowa in the late 60?s. He was sincerely interested in the ?person? and not just the player or student. Rest In Peace Monte. Bob Mingst (1968) CLARENCE Iowa. "
" I worked in the Hy-Vee deli for a while and coach would come in and get lunch. His smile would always light up when I waited on him and we would chat while I served him his food. It was the highlight of my day. Years later he still remembered me would take the time to chat if I saw him at the post office or out and about. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He will be deeply missed but he is home with his Savior and I am happy for him."
"Monte was one of the first persons I got to know when I moved to Algona. I was always pleasant to talk with him whenever I saw him in the Library. Along with his love of sports, his faith shone through in our conversations. Rest in Peace Monte. is Faith was "
"Got to know him when I was sports editor in Carroll for 30 years. He was quite a guy who was a legend and did so much for the youth of Iowa! RIP fine friend!"
"There is only one Mr. P. I'll always have vivid, fond memories of his Latin and Church History classes among many others. What a great example of a life spent serving others. "
"There was no one quite like Mr. P. - humble, kind, funny and faithful. He certainly has a special place in heaven. Praying for his family and friends. "
"Just an incredibly sincere man of faith - I have only known him for less than five years but he will be missed greatly - he was so kind and knowledgeable and a great mentor for athletes and their parents. Peace and condolences to his family and friends. So many good memories. "
"Mr P as we all called him will be so missed. He always asked about our kids and enjoyed visiting with him. Rest In Peace Monte "
"Betty Rowlet on Feb. 24. 2019 I worked with Monte at SJHS in Bancroft. He was a nice man -- to me and to the students. He will long be remembered. Rest in peace!"
"So very sorry to hear this. Coach Monte was truly one in a million. May he Rest In Peace. Sara (Ulses) Brinker "
"Monte helped in my classroom one year as a TA. The students really enjoyed him. In the following years, he would come by the playground and talk with the children. He was very dedicated to Bushop Garrigan Karen"
"Monte was more than he led on,super smart,loyal,funny and my friend. Had an impact on my life and I will miss him. "
"Monte will be truly missed by everyone at Bishop Garrigan. We're proud to have him in our school family."
"I am saddened to hear about this. Coach P was wonderful when Carter played baseball in middle school and would always chat with us after that when we would see him out in public. I know he will be greatly missed. The Sullivan family "