Fred Douglas Pearson

Fred Pearson was inducted into the Centralia Hall of Fame in 1984 click here to view Hall of Fame page

Fred Douglas Pearson was born on February 12, 1924 in Centralia, IL and he resided in Centralia most of his life. Fred was educated in the Centralia school system having attended Field and Schiller grade schools and was a graduate of Centralia Township High School, setting many athletic records. Fred was a member of the 1942 state basketball squad which was inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame and the Centralia Hall of Fame.

After High School, Fred served his country in the United States Army, and then continued his athletic career as a member of two professional teams; the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team and the Centralia Cubs baseball team.

Fred was widely known for his 40 years of dedication as an employee of the city of Centralia’s recreation department and for founding the Centralia Boys & Girls Club. He worked with generations of youth in the Centralia area and was known at the community center as Mr. Basketball. The recreation department gymnasium was later renamed in his honor.

Fred passed away in June of 1993, but his legacy to all who knew and loved him was to encourage all youngsters to set goals, instilling in each of them that nothing is impossible if they are determined to achieve those goals

CYI is a IRS designated 501(c)3 charitable foundation with established programs to benefit the youth of the Centralia, Il area, with hopes that it will have a lasting impact on their lives.

Centralia IL, 62801 contact@ctownyouth.org
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