Connect with us

31 Leonard Pearson

Name
Leonard Pearson
Position
Guard
Class
Sophomore
Hometown (Last School)
Chicago, IL (Senn)
Ht
6'1"
Wt
180
Seasons
1949-50
Birthday
May 14, 1929

Obituary – Terry Pearson, Chicago Tribune (April 12, 2020)

Terry (Whitey) Pearson was born on May 14, 1929 in Mundelein, IL. Died on April 2, 2020 in Chicago. He is survived by his four children, Terry A. Pearson, Mary C. (James) Dunlavy, Kevin L. Pearson and Karen F. Pearson. Granddaughter-in-law, Mavreen Dunlavy; and three great-grandchildren, Kyla, James and Braden Dunlavy. Preceded in death by parents, Bertil and Olga Pearson; brother, Carl Pearson; and grandson, Christopher J. Dunlavy.

Whitey played basketball at Senn High School in Chicago and went on to play Division 1 basketball for The University of Kentucky. After leaving Kentucky, he married Hilde Catino and began working for Catino Builders in Arlington Heights where he was a salesman and builder. He then went to work at WCFL Radio in “on air” sales. After this, he got his dream job at WGN TV as an account executive where he worked from 1969-2002, 33 years.

He was an avid Chicago sports fan and especially liked the Cubs and Bulls, and attended many Bears games with a life-long friend. He kept in shape by swimming daily at the Chicago Athletic Club and being a member at Bob-O-Link Golf Course. His leisure time was spent at Gene & Georgetti’s where he was a founding member of the Mahogany Club. He had so many of his own words for things, and if you knew him this will bring you a chuckle. His car was his sled, eating a meal was groceries and an iron horse was a train. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Interment is private, with a memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Kyle Schwarber’s charity, Schwarber’s Heroes at schwarbersheroes.org.

Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter’s Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On February 18, 1903, State College (Kentucky) records its first win, an 11-10 decision over Lexington YMCA. The Wildcats finished that first season with a 1-2 record.

 

On February 18, 1909, with a 28-23 win over Cincinnati, Kentucky clinched its first winning season in school history. Following a “Senior Day” loss to Central University, the Wildcats ended the year with a 5-4 record.

 

On February 18, 1950, Bill Spivey scored 40 points against Georgia Tech.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

More in