White House Historical Association

Alvin L. Pearson

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"Alvin L. Pearson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whitehouseworkers.org/Detail/workers/1128.
Position
Plumber
Years in President's House
circa 1961 – circa 1981
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidencies
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard M. Nixon
Gerald R. Ford
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Biography
Alvin Leslie Pearson was born in Delaplane, Virginia on January 13, 1922.1 During World War II, Pearson was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army.2 As early as 1961, Pearson had joined the White House staff as a plumber.3 He is listed as a maintenanceman on staff through approximately 1981, but details about his work and career tenure are limited.4 According to his death certificate, he later worked as gardener for the U.S. government, but it is unclear if this is related to the White House.5 Alvin Pearson died on January 7, 1993.6
  1. “Birthdays,” Undated, folder: folder “Birthdays (Residence Staff),” box 29, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Library, https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/library/document/0018/81556614.pdf; Alvin Pearson in U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/records/33670988?tid=114910169&pid=390144977480&ssrc=pt. 
  2. “Alvin L. Pearson,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14268836/alvin-l.-pearson; Alvin L Pearson in U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs; United States; U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs Birls Death File, 1850-2022, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2441/records/2813731?tid=114910169&pid=390144977480&ssrc=pt. 
  3. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers. Textual Materials. Letitia Baldrige Files. Christmas: 1961 (2 of 2 folders). JBKOPP-SF037-009. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. 
  4. Memorandum for Joseph Canzeri, November 23, 1981, folder Personnel (Residence) – [General, 1972-1987] (2), Office of the Executive Residence: Usher’s Office: Records, 1981-1989, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library; Untitled Staff List, April 1970, Collection: White House Usher’s Office; Series: Rex Scouten’s Subject File; Folder: Residence Employees; Container 5, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library;  U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations (Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations) Vol. 1 (1974), pg. 47-48. 
  5. Alvin Leslie Pearson in Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9278/records/4910599. 
  6. Ibid. 
Birthplace
Delaplane, Virginia, USA
Blue markers indicate birthplaces and green markers indicate burial places. Black markers are used for places of both birth and burial.