A public memorial service is planned in April in Baldwin City for former U.S. Sen. James B. Pearson, a former Baker University trustee.

Pearson, 88, a former part-time Baldwin City resident, died Jan. 13 at his home in Gloucester, Mass.

The public is invited to the service at 11 a.m. April 3 at First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City.

Pearson was a World War II Navy transport pilot, state senator and Republican state chairman. Gov. John Anderson appointed him to fill U.S. Sen. Andrew Schoeppel’s vacant seat in 1962 after Schoeppel’s death.

In the primary election that year, Pearson defeated former Gov. Ed Arn and went on to win the general election. Pearson later won two more full Senate terms until he retired in 1979.