James D Pedersen

James Douglas Pedersen, 70, passed from this life to the next while at his home in Kaysville, UT on September 30, 2021 after a brief struggle with cancer.  To those fortunate enough to know him, he was a great counselor, provider, servant, and friend.  Always involved in home improvement projects, Jim was known for vastly overbuilding things.  When challenged for the reason, he expressed his desire to make sure they would last through time and adversity.  He built his family in the same manner and “Jimified” became the adjective that described this sentiment.

Born on February 23, 1951 in Stockton, CA, to George Porsborg and Wanda Petersen Pedersen, Jim enjoyed his early years alongside his older brothers, Bob and Gary, and younger sister, Diana. The family moved to Utah in 1958, not long after Jim started school.  He spent most of his childhood in the Avenues of Salt Lake City, with summers dedicated to helping on the family dairy farm in Benson, Utah.  Raised with a strong faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jim served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Peru.  He returned home to earn an undergraduate degree in Accounting at Brigham Young University.  While there, he met and fell in love with Robin Ann Peterson.  The two were married and sealed together in the Ogden Utah Temple on July 9, 1975.  The young sweethearts began their family right away and devoted themselves to providing an enriching and enjoyable childhood for their six children. Their home was a place of learning, music, order, laughter, and love.

Jim worked most of his professional life in the Purchasing Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; however, in an effort to expand the opportunities available to his children, he often labored to supplement the family’s income with a second (and sometimes third) job.  As a father of five children, he chose to go back to school and earned a Masters of Public Administration degree in 1984 from BYU.  The family lived in Salt Lake City and West Valley City and after a three-year transfer to Rexburg Idaho, moved back to Utah in 1987 and settled in Centerville.  They were able to make a lifetime of memories before Robin passed away in 2012 from cancer.  Jim met his other sweetheart, Kristine Feller Bauer, and they were married and sealed together in the Bountiful Utah Temple on December 28, 2013.  He moved to Kaysville, UT, where their home became the gathering place for the families of their combined 12 children.  He brought so much love and happiness to Kris and her family.  Jim and Kris loved being together and spent their time gardening, camping, traveling, and planning many events and parties to bring their family together.  Jim enjoyed serving his family more than anything else.  To him, more children and grandchildren happily meant more people to love and care for. Seeing beyond earthly connections, Jim endeavored to blend the two groups and considered all part of his eternal family.  He loved spending time with his 35 grandchildren (soon to be 38).  Jim gave dedicated service to his church through various callings including several ward bishoprics as counselor, clerk, and executive secretary.  From 2017-2020 he served a mission for BYU-Pathway Worldwide as a classroom and online learning facilitator in the Davis county district.  Jim loved the Pathway program and loved being a part of extending the blessing of affordable higher education to people in his community.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kristine Feller Pedersen; his children: Cameron (Stephanie) Pedersen, Lindsay Pedersen, Brandi (Ed) Lopez, Brynn (Matthew) Clinger, Nick (Alison) Bauer, Dallin (Catherine) Pedersen, Devin Bauer, Carly (Joshua) Porter, Kelsey (Shaun) Zollinger, Britton (MeChel) Bauer, Spencer (Tashia) Pedersen, and Maddi (Jackson) Martinez; and his sister, Diana (Steve) Dyer.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Robin Peterson Pedersen; his son-in-law Matthew J. Clinger; his parents, George and Wanda Pedersen; and his brothers, Robert (Catherine) Pedersen and Gerald “Gary” (Sharon and Linda) Pedersen.

“The viewing will be Thursday, Oct. 7 from 6-8pm at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N Main St, Farmington, UT.  A second viewing will take place at the Kaysville South Stake center, 900 S Main Street in Kaysville, UT, on Friday, Oct. 8 from 9:30-10:45am just prior to the funeral, which will begin at 11:00am.  The funeral service will be available to view online at this link:  https://bit.ly/3BunpA0

Interment will immediately follow at the Kaysville City Cemetery.  Following interment, Jim requested that all family AND friends gather for a luncheon at the stake center.”

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Jim Pedersen Pathway Education Memorial Fund at America First Credit Union or via Venmo to @Jim-Pedersen.  Donations will be used to support local Davis county students of the BYU-Pathway program.