Earl Denley Pedersen 1931 ~ 2013 Earl Denley Pedersen, 82, our beloved dad, grandpa, and brother, passed away on June 1, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born January 10, 1931 in Riverton, Utah to Chris and Nevada Butterfield Pedersen. He married Gayle Owen in 1950 and was a devoted father to the four children they had together. Earl attended Jordan High School and began his career at Kennecott in 1946 at age of 15. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska during the Korean Conflict. He returned to Kennecott and retired after 38 years of service. He enlisted in the Utah Air National Guard in 1980. His time in the Air Guard took him all over the world. He received the MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL in 1993 for his outstanding dedication to duty. He served until 1992, a total of 24 years of service to the Country. He always liked to point out that he was never 'formally' discharged, and reminded us he could be called back to active duty anytime. Nothing would have pleased him more. In addition to his children and grandchildren, he especially loved a good Western or fishing season at Strawberry with his fishing buddy, and brother- in-law, Russ Boulton. Survivors: children, Earline McGrannahan (Mack), Randy (Patty), and Diana Haun (Donnie); 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawerence Pedersen (Mary) and sisters, Bonnie Kilgrow, Helen Schroeder (Kay), and Linda Boulton (Russell). Preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Burt, Delmar, and Verl; and his youngest son, Kenny. Special thanks to the staff at the Veterans Hospital, Mt. Olympus, and Caregivers Support. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State Street, Midvale, Utah. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday evening and one hour prior to the services. Interment, Riverton City Cemetery. www.goffmortuary.com
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on June 2, 2013