EL PASO –  Today, Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso) expresses his condolences at the passing of attorney Ray Pearson. Mr. Pearson was a prolific attorney and founder of the Pearson & Pearson Law Offices in El Paso.

Mr. Pearson was an active participant in local government and founded the Ray Pearson Forum, a weekly public venue to discuss local politics and government. He founded the forum in the early 1960’s  to encourage honest debate and get good people into office.

Mr. Pearson has been a champion for transparency and fairness in local government. He understood the enormous responsibility and trust that came with holding elected office.

"Since he first came to El Paso, Ray spent every day working to make us better. His legacy is honest, transparent and effective governance," Shapleigh said.

An attorney for more than 50 years, Mr. Pearson was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1955. He served as the president of the El Paso Bar Association in 1988, as the chairman of the El Paso Housing Authority from 1974 to 1976 and on the El Paso Public Service Board from 1976 to 1982.

Mr. Pearson passed away at 9:40 am Friday morning. He is survived by his sons Brent and Robert Pearson.