Arthur Daniel Pedersen Sr.

Arthur Daniel PEDERSEN Sr.

PEDERSEN Arthur Daniel, Sr., of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully in the company of family and close friends on Sunday afternoon, June 27, 2010. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 21, 1924 and attended public schools there. He also attended New York University.

He lived in New Jersey from 1952 to 1999 when he moved to Austin. He was in many ways the embodiment of the "Greatest Generation", raised in the depression, he grew to manhood in World War II and raised two sons during the 1950s and 1960s. He did what it took to secure a future for his family, performing different jobs from police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to salesman, draftsman on aerospace projects, to letter carrier with the US Postal service, from which he retired.

He served his county as a marine in Pacific waters from August 1943 to November 1945, earning 13 battle stars for service in some of the biggest battles of the war. He was a living reminder that there is no such thing as an " ex-marine." He followed the marine creed "Semper Fidelis" in life - in his marriage, with family and in his friendships.

He was a longtime Mason and served as a worshipful master of the Pioneer Lodge No. 70 in Hackensack, New Jersey. He retained his involvement in the Masons during his time in Texas and upon his death was a member of the Onion Creek Lodge.He was a man of many talents, especially in vocal music. He had a wonderful tenor voice and loved to sing and perform, often in church.

He recently celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary with Irene Pedersen. His is survived by his wife Irene; his children Arthur and Craig, his grandchildren Anna, Avery and Daniel, and special extended family Mary Thompson and Paul Keeper. He also leaves behind many friends in New Jersey and Texas. He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret Pedersen, father Daniel Pedersen, brother Roy Pedersen and sister Ruth Pedersen Herrschaft.

A memorial service will be held at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail (at South Lamar and Ben White) Austin, TX 78745 at 1 PM, Wednesday, June 30, 2010. The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Shriners Burns Hospital for Children in Galveston, Texas.

Published in The Record and Herald News on June 29, 2010