Joseph O. Pedersen, 78, of Ormond Beach, FL, passed away October 13, 2023, after his good health was interrupted by a recent diagnosis of suspected Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare neurodegenerative human prion brain disease. Joe was born on March 7, 1945, in Port Chester, NY to parents Jorgen and Alice Pedersen.

Joe earned his Doctorate degree and had a lifelong career in education as a dedicated Teacher, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent. He also was a passionate wrestling coach and referee, and later, the Head of the Illinois State Wrestling Tournament. He was honored for his contributions at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame.

Joe was a disability advocate and the non-profit Board President of UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago. A home for disabled adults was dedicated in his name for his many years of service.

In his retirement, Joe enjoyed working the (very!) early shift as a golf course groundskeeper, first at his home golf course, Hallifax Plantation in Ormond Beach, and then at the LPGA International golf course in Daytona Beach.

Joe was a musician, guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He enjoyed golfing, wrestling, and fishing. Joe was dedicated to his family and friends, and he established lifelong relationships as a mentor and counsel to many. He was also a great storyteller and a faithful servant leader.

Joe is very dearly loved by his family and friends and will always be in our hearts.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Jorgen Orsted Pedersen and Alice Marie Pedersen; his brother, James Orsted Pedersen; and his sister, Jayne Pedersen.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Susan Smith Pedersen (Keller); his 2 sons, Eric Pedersen and his wife Julie and their children Luke and Livie; and Craig Pedersen; and his 2 stepdaughters, Kelli Thiede and her husband Jim and their children Alex and Claire; and Kari Anne Tuohy and her husband Chris and their children Jacob and Megan. He is also survived by his sisters, Karen Pedersen; Marie Pedersen Talsness and her husband David; Christine Pedersen Lewis and her husband Calvin; his sister-in-law, Carol Pedersen; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Donations may be made in Joe's memory to the UF Foundation for Neurology research and education at the University of Florida Shands Hospital, or to UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago for creating life without limits for children and adults with disabilities.

A virtual celebration of life will be planned for Joe's birth month in March 2024.  More details to follow.

UF Foundation

PO Box 100243, Gainesville, FL 32610

www.neurology.ufl.edu

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago

3100 South Central Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

https://ucpseguin.org