FROMBERG, Mont. - Jim passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2012. He was born on April 5, 1947, the second child of Hugh and Marie (O'Connor) Pedersen. Jim was a preemie, born at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. We are thankful that St. Vincent's was ahead of their time in the care of preemies.
Jim lived his early life in Fromberg, then moved around Montana for a time with his parents and two uncles, George and Jim O'Connor. They owned O'Connor Construction Co., installing pipeline in and around the state.
Jim graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1965 at Fromberg High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Montana State University in 1969, and his master's degree in 1972.
Jim met and married the true love of his life, June Richison in Port Townsend, Wash., in 1970. A son, Jeremiah James was born in 1977, and a daughter, Josie Marie was born in 1980.
The Pedersens lived in Winnemucca from 1992 through 2001. Jim worked for the Pinson Gold Mine for the first few years and retired from Rayrock Gold Mine.
Jim loved reading, photography, golf, hunting, fishing, playing bridge and playing the guitar. He was thrilled to draw a bighorn sheep tag in 2000, taking a trophy ram that scored 173 Boone & Crockett.
Jim loved the Lord. He was a Gideon and a member of the Zoe Bible Church of Lockwood. Jim was a quiet, gentle, loving man who was loved much and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jo.
Survivors include his wife June of Fromberg; son Jeremiah of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter Josie (Jeff) Walter and grandson Lucas of Tualatin, Ore.; aunt Dixie O'Connor (Bill) Stein of Fromberg; and cousins Rick (Bonnie) Snowden of Missoula, Bill and Joe O'Connor of Butte, and Joan (Marty) Anderson, Jim Yedlicka, Ed Yedlicka, Joe (Lisa) Yedlicka and Kevin Yedlicka, all of Fromberg.
A special thank you is extended to Beartooth Hospice of Red Lodge for so much tender care and love for Jim. Special thanks to Debi, Lynette and Beth. Memorials may be given to Beartooth Hospice, P.O. Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59068.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Fromberg United Methodist Church. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge assisted with cremation arrangements.
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