Pearman III, Thomas Monroe
Thomas Monroe Pearman III, 75, of Shawsville passed peacefully in his sleep on August 1. Tom was a hard man to understand but an easy guy to love.
He had — in his mind — a very ordinary life, which included breaking broncos, riding bulls, racing motorcycles, and putting himself through college at Virginia Tech while working night shift and helping to raise a baby boy. He will perhaps be most remembered as an educator who, after teaching for more than 20 years in Roanoke City Schools, went on to create the aeronautics program for the Roanoke City Magnet School where he taught many young men and women to fly. The only thing he ever failed at was retirement, working up until the end — complaining and loving every minute of it.
He is survived by his wife Martha, son Tony and his wife Amy, and grandchildren Alex and Gabe. Also, by amazing sisters on both sides of the family: Nell, Alice, Debbie, Peggy, and Lisa as well as their husbands, children, and siblings too numerous to name. All were very loved by Tom, notably Frankie whom he cared for as his own.
If you knew Tom, it will surprise you very little that he made us swear to not spend time with a service or tombstone. He will be returned gracefully into the woods that he loved and to the winds in which he soars once again. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish may donate in his name to the American Cancer Society or the American Liver Foundation.
August 3, 2020 @ 11:55 am
Dear Mr. Pearman’s family,
Thank you for your support of him while he taught so many of us the joys of aeronautics. Even though I didn’t go on to be a pilot, Mr. Pearman was one of the people who inspired me as I joined the Air Force. My sincere condolences to all of you.
Best Regards,
Kara Barger
August 3, 2020 @ 12:14 pm
So sorry to hear about Mr. Pearman. He was my flight instructor at William Fleming High School. He was so laid back with everything. He gave me the call sign “Driver”. I just took to flying to easy he said I bet you could get behind the wheel of anything and drive it! We did a cross country to Lynchburg and rented a old Buick and drive to get a 5 gal. of paint and flew back! It was awesome! I remember my first landing with him and I came in a stalled it above the runway to land. Just like you are supposed to do! Only problem was we were about 10’ in the air and slammed down, bounced a few times. He laughed is ass off and said I think I just threw up my biscuit! 🤣 Although I didn’t see him after I graduated, the times with him and the airplane are my best and favorite memories of high school. I will miss him.
Michael “Driver” Gentry
RIP, “34M Roger”
August 3, 2020 @ 2:13 pm
Tom was an amazing man and the best friend anyone could ever have. He would truly do anything for anyone and loved seeing others have fun and succeed. (Not just words… he lived this!) He had an ability to teach in such a way that he could break down the complex and make it simple for his students. From teaching students to weld, paint and build motorcycles to flying airplanes, there were few as talented as Tom. Although he may have come across as stern and no nonsense, at times, he truly loved his students and watching them achieve their goals.
Tom was driven to create an aeronautical science program where high school students learned to fly, as well as a flying club where many in the Roanoke area pursued their aviation dreams, affordably. Tom is an aviation legend in the area, although his preference was to always be working, humbly, in the background.
Tom was truly one of the gems in my life whom I feel so blessed to have known and call “friend.” I pray the Lord’s peace and comfort for his family and that his spirit is flying high now with the angels in heaven.
Well done, my friend! ❤️
August 3, 2020 @ 3:41 pm
After nearly permanently embedding us both in the ground yards short of runway two four, I taxied back to the tie down dreading the moment when the engine would come to a stop and Tom could properly chew my head off without competing for my attention. I deserved it. He’d taught me better. We’d practiced go-arounds countless times. When the tower called for one late on final approach, it was gameday. “Roger. Going around, three four Mike” I replied. But then I blinked. I dumped the flaps, and only when Tom jumped in to help did we power up as we simultaneously braced for impact. We barely missed the regional jet who’d taxied out and was waiting to take off before we finally started to climb and fulfill our promise to the tower. Sitting on the ramp after, I thought he’d kick me out of the program right then and there. Tom was not one to suffer fools. We sat in silence for what seemed like hours. Finally, my much anticipated chewing commenced: “Pretty sure you’ll never do that again”, Tom dryly spoke. And that was it. Tom knew when to teach, and when to allow one to learn. He taught me more about life than flying, though it seemed as if they were often one in the same. My high school afternoons at the airport changed my life in ways I can’t fully describe. Thank you Tom, and thank you to Martha and Tony for sharing him with us.
August 3, 2020 @ 3:55 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Pearman was my flight instructor. He was a great man. I was one of two girls in the program at that time & that made no difference to him. He was always fair, straight forward & very encouraging. I will forever be grateful for all the lessons he taught me. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
August 3, 2020 @ 5:42 pm
Just wanted to offer my condolences. I was also in the flight program at Fleming. I have fond memories of Mr. Pearman. One of my favorite was actually when he was trying to de-ice one of the planes. He started spraying something on the wings. He quickly said, “that’s not de-icer, that’s enamel reducer.” He quickly rinsed off the wings. He taught us ground school and always was a big supporter of us students. He told me that the check ride instructor was an old pastor, so don’t argue aviation or theology with him. What a great teacher.
August 3, 2020 @ 9:23 pm
Mr. Pearman was the best flight instructor you could ask for, I learned so much from him and mostly how to stay calm under pressure… Once on a normal training flight we were on final and as I put in the 3rd notch of flaps the cable broke and without hesitation he grabbed the yoke and throttle and got us landed safely and afterwards he laughed and said that could have been a bad one… He will be greatly missed!!!
August 4, 2020 @ 12:59 am
I learned so many things from this man that I’ll never forget. About science and aviation and history, about life and personal achievement. I never knew him as well as I’d have liked, and I’ve often wished to meet him again later in life. So many of his students went on from his classes at Fleming to achieve great things in life. This was a rare man indeed, and those of us who knew him, or even better, learned from him, are richer for it.
Here’s to you, Tom. If there’s a heaven, I know you’re soaring there now.
After, of course, a thorough pre-flight inspection…
August 5, 2020 @ 6:07 pm
Tom didn’t just teach young men to fly. I had been flying gliders for about three years when I decided to take up powered flight in 2001. I was 54 when Tom became my primary instructor. I always looked forward to those flights with him. Tom made flying fun. Still flying today, and I think of Tom often. He will be missed.