Obituary

On October 8th, 2022, we lost a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend when Norman “Sonny” Pearl passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA. After a year long illness. Memories of Norm’s dry wit and (inadvertent) malapropisms will keep him forever in our hearts. Born in St. Louis Missouri on December 19, 1933, Norman grew up the only child of two doting parents. He graduated from University City High School where he was the captain of the school’s baseball team. He attended the University of Missouri where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity to which he gave far more attention than to his studies. Following his college graduation, he married Deanna Unell and they moved to Nagoya, Japan where Norm served with distinction in the United States Air Force. While in the military, Norman participated in all base athletics, excelling in baseball. Although he weighed in at a mere 145 pounds, he was pushed into service as the base quarterback when the 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd string quarterbacks were all injured. Fortunately for Norm, he got great pass protection from former University of Alabama Football players. After the Air Force, Norman and Deanna moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Norm joined Tension Envelope Corporation, an international manufacturer of envelopes. After several years, Tension relocated Norman to Southern California to establish a West Coast presence. Norman and his family lived in Woodland Hills and Calabasas. Norman has two children, Stephanie and Brian, in whom he took great pride. He coached Brian's soccer and baseball teams and he served as President of West Hills Boys Baseball League. Norman also served his community. He was on the board of the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association and Board of Parks and Recreation for the City of Calabasas. He also served for many years as a member of the Board of Sunaire Home for Asthmatic Children Board of Directors. Norman achieved professional success at Tension, and he resigned after 30 years. He and Deanna retired to the desert. Norm continued his “baseball career” in Palm Desert where, while living in Sun City, he played softball and proved to be a formidable pitcher. He boasted many times of winning “The Cy Old Award”. His next home was Desert Island in Rancho Mirage. He loved “his view” and he liked to say it was better than Walter Annenberg’s Sunnylands because he was higher up. Well into his 80’s, Norm learned to play pickle ball at Desert Island and loved it. He was unable to move for the ball, but his lack of mobility did not curb his enthusiasm for the game or for his pickle-ball buddies. Survivors include his wife Deanna, his daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Stephen Lazarian of La Canada Flintridge, CA, his son Brian and daughter-in-law Krista Pearl of De Moines, IA, grandson, A.J. (Zoella) Memphis, TN, granddaughter, Sydney Pearl, Iowa City, IA, grandson, Chase Lazarian, Dallas, Texas, brother-in-law Stan Unell, (Audrey) and two nephews, Gary and John Unell all from Dallas, Texas. The family extends a Very special thank you to Norm’s much loved caregiver, Bonnie Cruz, and to the staff at Serenity Hospice who dedicated themselves and their time to his comfort and welfare. A Memorial service will be held later in the year.