John Samuel Pearl

John Samuel Pearl Sr., respectfully known as “Mr. Jr.” was born February 5, 1921 in Decatur, Illinois to the union of Lloyd Thomas and Bertha Mae Pearl. After a severe stroke, he departed this life on November 10, 2014

John moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with his family at a very early age. At 19, he joined the Army Air Forces, currently known as the United States Air Forces. After serving his country, he found employment at The Cincinnati Chemical Company and worked there for 13 years. He was a devoted Catholic and worked at a custodian at St. Leo Church and School for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for many years. He last worked for LeBlond Makino Inc. until he suffered an injury on the job and became disabled.

Throughout his adulthood John participated and held high office in various clubs and organizations. He was a founding member of the St. Martin DePorres chapter of Knights of Columbus.

John had a few passions in life, his CB radio and traveling to various casinos across the country. As an avid CB radio user he enjoyed many nights and days talking to other CB users all over the United States. He used the CB handle “Pearl Diver” and later took on the handle of “Crazy Horse.” The power of his CB equipment was known throughout the neighborhood and it was not unusual for neighbors to be listening to their favorite music on the radio or having a conversation on the cordless phone and hear “Pearl Diver” blasting through their device.

John was an entrepreneur. He had many “hustles” over the years including being a cab driver, hosting card parties, selling barbecue sandwiches (that featured his famous sauce) and his ultimate business was, Mr. Jr’s Candy Store. This store was in operation in the garage of his home for over 30 years and was known throughout the Mt. Auburn community. It was a place to buy penny candy, cotton candy, ice balls and fresh popcorn. Everyone was welcome to visit the store, but “Mr. Jr.” had a few rules: 1) ring the bell ONCE, 2) have more than a dime to spend, 3) if you had pennies, they needed to be rolled already because HE wasn’t counting them out.

John was an awesome provider, a wonderful father and grandfather. He was blessed and loved by many and will truly be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Roland Pearl, his loving and devoted wife Mary Helen, two sisters, Mary Idell Pearl and Thelma Riley, two brothers, James and William Pearl.

He leaves not to mourn but to celebrate his life and memory: three sons, John S. Pearl, Jr. (Nyria), Daryl Gaither (Rolinda), Harold Gaither (Joyce); four daughters, Bobbi L. Brantley (Philip), Jeanette New, Annette Todd and Robin M. Pearl; one sister in law, Odell Pearl, 27 grandchildren and a host great-grandchildren, loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends.