'Voice of Alto football', J.D. Pearman passes away at 66

Jan. 8—ALTO — The longtime "Voice of Alto Yellowjacket football", James Dee "J.D." Pearman died Friday in Tyler at the age of 66.

Funeral services, which were under the direction of Allen Funeral Services, were held Sunday afternoon at the Alto High School Coliseum, just a few yards away from the press box at Yellowjacket Stadium, Pearman's home-away-from-home on Friday nights in the fall for the last 45 years.

Pearman a well-known face in the Alto community, as well as in Cherokee County, who along with his brother, Bob, operated Pearman Motor Company in Alto.

Any Alto football fan who didn't recognize Pearman's face, probable was very familiar with his voice. Since 1978 Pearman served as the public address announcer at Alto football games and doubled as a member of the Alto Yellowjacket (radio) broadcast team for Mean Sting road games.

He also called various Lady Jacket Softball games through the years.

His pride and passion for Alto athletics rang out in his voice from year-to-year.

The 1975 graduate of Alto High School, who was born in Jacksonville, was a big fan of Alto athletics.

Pearman is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jamie; daughters Becky and Brandon Koenning of Round Rock, Texas, Katy and Clay Cade of Snyder, Texas, Tory and Brett Lester of Monument, Colo. And Molly Pearman and fiance Morgan Sonnenschein of Kansas City, MO.

Other survivors include seven grandchildren, brother Bob Pearman and wife Liz; nephews Lee Pearman and wife Jennifer; nieces Ellen and Frank Crothers, Kelly and Thomas Rogers; aunt Stephanie Caveness and cousin Dee Caveness.

Some information used in this story was supplied by Allen Funeral Services.