James Pearson had a passion for education

James Pearson, a retired Minneapolis school teacher and politically active union leader, brought innovation to the classroom and to the State Capitol.

Pearson, who was an advocate for students and teachers, died on Feb. 6 at his Minneapolis home of lung cancer.

He was 80.

Pearson, who taught social studies at Minneapolis high schools from 1966 to 1992, became active in the old Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and the Minnesota Federation of Teachers in 1966.

Rep. Lyndon Carlson, DFL-Crystal, and former Minneapolis school teacher, said Pearson was passionate about education and politics.

"He was just a super volunteer, putting his time and effort in the political process with much of his focus on education," Carlson said.

Carlson said that Pearson was an expert on education financing and that his advocacy and lobbying work had statewide impact.

From 1966 until his death, he served as a lobbyist at the Legislature, either for his union or for a retiree group.

Pearson, whose cancer was diagnosed in December, worked at the Capitol the day before he died, Carlson said.

Louise Sundin of Minneapolis, a former Minneapolis school teacher and former president of the Minneapolis local union, said Pearson played a role in the merger of the federation with the old Minnesota Education Association.

Sundin said Pearson worked deftly with legislators about 10 years ago in crafting programs to help Minnesota public employees offset the high costs of medical expenses after retirement.

He was a "quiet, absolutely tireless union member" who took young teachers on tours of the Legislature, and was "constantly motivating, cajoling and reminding people to get involved," she said.

During his career, Pearson taught at Minneapolis' Southwest, South and North high schools.

He created a popular class, Street Law, that met at the Hennepin County Government Center. He would have court officials speak to the students, and they would attend trials.

"It was one of his most popular classes, one he invented," Sundin said. "It was a real hands-on, real-life learning experience."

At the Capitol, he won the respect of legislators on both sides of the aisle, she added.

Pearson also played leadership roles in the DFL Party, the AFL-CIO and the American Civil Liberties Union.

He grew up in Little Falls, Minn., and served in the Navy at the end of World War II. He earned a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Minnesota.

He maintained a wildflower garden at his family home in Little Falls. There, he regularly cared for his mother, who lived until she was 105. He was also an avid fisherman.

He is survived by his wife, Lynda .