James A. Pederson, formerly of Newell, WV., and Columbus, OH., passed at the Regency Hospital in Greenville, SC., on Monday, February 8, 2021, following a lengthy illness. He had been a resident of Taylors, SC., for several years.
75 years old, Jim was born in East Liverpool, OH., on January 17, 1946. Raised in Newell by Glen and Wilbert Mercer, he was a son of the late James C. and Gladys Dray Pederson.
Jim retired as a purchasing agent from Worthington Steel in Columbus, and he graduated from the Oak Glen High School, class of 1964. He was incredibly involved in his grandchildren’s lives, following retirement, he and his wife, Deborah moved to South Carolina to be close to their family. Affectionately known as “grandpa”, he touched the lives of children and adults alike while volunteering at his grandchildren’s school, from elementary to high school. A lover of Pontiac Trans-Am’s, in 1984 he co-founded the Trans-Am nationals where he was a past president. Also, he was a member of the Trans-Am Club of America, Dayton, OH., chapter. Jim was a proud veteran of the US Army, he served as a Military Policeman during the Vietnam War.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Rick Pederson.
On August 16, 1968, Jim began a wonderful partnership with his wife of 52 years, Deborah Poole Pederson, she survives at home. They are the proud parents of Lori (Todd) Whiten, and proud grandparents of Ethan James and Gavin Lynn Whiten of Taylors, SC. Two brothers, Jeff (Janet) Pederson of Port St. Lucie FL., and Sam Pederson of Ft. Pierce, FL., one sister, Joyce Pederson, several brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces, and friends around the country also survive.
Jim’s family and friends celebrated his life at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Monday, February 15. Following the services, he was laid to rest at the Columbiana County Memorial Park in East Liverpool Ohio where the US Army Honor Guard and the Chester American Legion Post 121, and VFW Post 6450 Honor Guard accorded full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project @www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
