Obituary
John Raymond Pedersen
1934-2017
John Raymond Pedersen, 83, of Newnan died Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at his home.
Services were today (Saturday) at McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan with the Rev. Ed Tomlinson officiating.
He passed away in the early morning of Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at home. He was born in Gibbon, Nebraska, on May 28, 1934, to the late Olaf Pedersen and Clara Teitz Pedersen.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Dayton Pedersen and Dick Pedersen, and his sister, Gloria Pedersen Bartak.
Mr. Pedersen graduated from Gibbon High School in 1952 and then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics. He married his wife, LaVonne, on July 1, 1956, moved to Washington, D.C., and started work with the Department of Agriculture as an agricultural economist.
While there, they had their three loving children, and he attained his master’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Maryland. Also, he attained his Realtor’s license. In 1969, he left the Department of Agriculture and moved to St. Louis, accepting the vice president of marketing position with Ralston Purina.
In 1973, he relocated to Atlanta to accept a vice president of marketing position with United Egg Producers. In 1976, he left and started his own business named Poultry & Egg Fax.
He was an avid golfer, horseshoe enthusiast, champion bowler and gardener. He loved to grow roses in their back yard. He was a lifelong, enthusiastic Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and member of the Georgians for Nebraska fan club.
He and his wife loved to travel and have been to many locations across the world, including Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Europe, and most states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
He and his wife were founding members of Allgood Road United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain. They were also members at Decatur First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, LaVonne Weston Pedersen; son, Wendell and wife Meg Pedersen; daughters, Denise and husband Roland McDonald and JoVonne and husband Eric Thomas; and grandchildren, Sara and husband Antonio Delgado, Rachel McDonald, Mary McDonald, Nate Thomas and Daphne Thomas. He is also survived by his brothers and their spouses, Leonard and Phyllis Pedersen and Don and Gerry Pedersen; sister-in-law, D. Pedersen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Contributions will be used to establish a scholarship at Gibbon High School in honor of John Pedersen.
Visit www.mckoon.com to express condolences to the family.