Gawain Pearman

James Robert Gawain Pearman passed away on Friday, January 18, 2019, at the age of 85, after a courageous battle with multiple illnesses. He was born in Claiborne County, TN, to Otto and Glada Pearman. Gawain graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1957 with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and began his career at Eastman Chemicals Division of Eastman Kodak in Kingsport. He married his wife, Betty Claire Pike, from Asheville, NC, in 1957 and they settled in Kingsport where they raised their three daughters. While at Eastman, he worked in the Fiber Development and Research Divisions, where he held several patents. He retired in May 1997 after 40 years. Gawain was active in Lynn Garden Baptist Church and served as the Chairman of Deacons and was an integral part of the Audio Visual Ministry. He was a longtime member of Gideons International and an active member of Kingsport Sertoma Club since 1964. Gawain enjoyed traveling with his wife, coaching soccer, working with youth at church, and was a longtime supporter of the Dobyns-Bennett Band. He loved photography and could always be found with a camera capturing every event. He will always be remembered for his loving devotion to his family, church, and community.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Norman Edward Pearman and Auburn Douglas Pearman.
Gawain is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Pearman; daughters, Renee Hoge of Lawrenceville, GA, Diane Routon (Randy) of Van Alstyne, TX, and Cindy Beals (Jonathan) of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Paul F. Brookshire IV(Aimee), Josh Brookshire (Brynn), Sarah Beals-Erickson (Matt), Betsy Brookshire, Stephanie Lively (Austin), Ethan Beals, and Courtney Hoge; seven great grandchildren; siblings, Ramona Weaver of Speedwell, TN, Otto Pearman (Reine) of Dallas, TX, and Joan Miller of Middlesboro, KY; sister-in-law, Ruth Pearman; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019, at Lynn Garden Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 5:30 p.m. with Rev. Rick Meade and Rev. Carl Strickler officiating.
Entombment service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons of Lynn Garden Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lynn Garden Baptist Church, 301 May Ave., Kingsport, TN, 37660, or Gideons International, P.O. Box 3217, Kingsport, TN 37664-0217.

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