Early Years
The Early Years
Duane "Dewey" Darwin Pearsall was born to Sheldon and Margery Pearsall in Pontiac, Michigan, the second of five children. At an early age his entrepreneurial spirit emerged. Duane was always trying to find ways to make money; selling pussy willows on the side of the road, digging worms, even working as a golf caddy.
Driven to Succeed
The desire to succeed was cultivated by his mother Margery's advice to save money, go to school and become successful. Influenced by his parent’s strong work ethic, Duane was not afraid of hard work and shadowed his father’s own entrepreneurial spirit. The money saved from working after school paid off when father Sheldon used their money to purchase two Rollfast bicycles at a bargain price for Duane and brother Sheldon Jr.
Washington Junior High
Duane's seventh grade class photograph. He is the young boy in the front row, fifth from the left, looking down at the ground.
Student of the Year
Duane's first award would come in his senior year at Roosevelt High School in Keego Harbor, Michigan. Nominated by his student peers, he was awarded a Citizenship medal for Student of the Year, one he cherished and kept safe in a keepsake box.
Keego Harbor Football Team
Duane was not an athlete, however, he did play football for the Roosevelt High School team for two years. He can be identified by the jersey with #94 on it.
Roosevelt High School Class of 1940
Senior class photograph of the students in Pearsall's class.