Barry Lynn Pearson

Barry Lynn Pearson died peacefully on August 16, 2026. He was surrounded by his close family and friends during his last days.

Barry was born in Geneseo, Illinois on February 4, 1950 to Eugenia “Jean” and Merton Pearson. No one would be surprised by the fact that Barry spent his youth playing all sports, including baseball, football, track, and basketball. He started his illustrious football career at ten, later helping lead his high school football team on its way to a 52-game winning streak. As an exceptional athlete, he was offered multiple Division I scholarships, as well as a congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy. He ultimately chose Northwestern University, where he excelled and met his wife, Linda. Barry, who received a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1972, set numerous football records as the captain of the football team at Northwestern. He had the longest punt return touchdown against Notre Dame. He earned back-to-back First Team All-Big Ten honors in 1970 and 1971. He was selected after his senior season in 1971 to play in the North South Bowl game. He flew from the game to CT where he and Linda were married.

Barry was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent shortly before his graduation. It was during his two years with the Steelers that he played in one of the most notable games in football history, the playoff game between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders in December 1972. In his first NFL career play ever, he brought in the play, ever after known as the Immaculate Reception. He was later told by Head Coach Chuck Noll that the play was called for him because Barry’s steady hands would do the trick. He also caught the 46-yard game winning touchdown on Monday Night Football against Washington in 1973. Barry was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs where he spent three years as a wide receiver and was at the pinnacle of his career. His standout season was in 1975 when he led the team with 608 receiving yards, while catching passes from Hall of Famer, Len Dawson. After a serious knee injury forced him to retire from football, he began working for Linda’s family business. Not able to leave football quite yet though, Barry responded yes when he was recruited as a wide receiver coach under Hall of Fame Coach Jimmie Johnson at Oklahoma State University. He had an extremely successful season there, even being interviewed by the Detroit Lions for a coaching position. However, he decided to leave coaching to return to his wife’s family business and to raise his family. Barry then began a second highly successful career at HPC family food service, ultimately serving as the President and CEO. In addition, he served on the executive board, including a three-year term as chairman, at FAB, a nationwide food service cooperative. In the community, Barry served for many years on the Board of Directors of Food Share. He was an active part of his children’s lives, coaching them in their youth sports. His competitive nature and athletic excellence continued into his middle adulthood when he picked up skiing, golf, and tennis, regularly beating his daughters who both went on to play competitive tennis in college. Even into his later years, his accomplishments continued. In 2014, he was inducted into the Geneseo High School Hall of Fame. In 2022, for the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, he had the honor of sitting on the field with the other Steelers, reliving that amazing day. He happily retired from HPC in 2016 and spent the ensuing years with his grandchildren, playing golf with friends, traveling extensively across the world with Linda, and enjoying his second home in Sanibel. He had many close and wonderful friendships.

Barry was truly admired and beloved by all who knew him. He was incredibly warm, generous, kind, personable, likeable, and so humble. His daughters loved to brag about his accomplishments, bringing him to show and tell in elementary school and surprising their friends with stories about the Immaculate Reception. Barry never bragged but was always willing to share a story and everyone around always wanted to listen. He always said to his family that he had had the best life and would not have changed a thing. He loved the life he lived and everyone in it. That is all we hope for when we say goodbye to someone we love- that they lived the best life.

Barry is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Linda; their daughter, Jessica Pearson and her husband Shawn Koupal; their daughter Devorah Pearson Gomez and her husband, Jeff Gomez; and their three cherished grandchildren: Parker, Jackson and Gia; as well as siblings Roger Pearson and his wife Fran; and Rhonda Gainey and her husband, Grant; as well as beloved in-laws and nieces. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barry’s memory may be made to Food Share of CT or Gifts of Love in Avon, CT. His burial will be private and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.