Garry Lynn Pedersen, 70, of Springfield, MO entered his heavenly home on December 23, 2024. He was born on September 16, 1954, in Marshfield, MO to Roy and Geneva Pedersen and was the sixth of eight children having three brothers and four sisters.

Garry grew up in Hartville, MO and graduated from Hartville High School. A few years after graduation he moved to Lebanon, MO and worked about thirty years for Detroit Tool Metal Products (Detroit Tool and Die) as a top tool and die maker. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting, playing basketball, slow pitch softball, golfing and watching NASCAR. He created a presence in a crowd with his boisterous enthusiasm for life and was always cracking a joke.

He met his forever love, Julia Benage Pedersen, on a blind date sat up by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law. After six months of dating, they married on May 5, 2006, and he moved to Springfield MO. In eighteen years of marriage, they weathered all of life's storms. Love and laughter, triumph & tears side by side.

In May 2021 through September 2023, Garry participated in an Alzheimer's clinical trial through Eli Lilly for their drug, Donanemab. Garry's zeal in finding a cure for Alzheimer's was what motivated him to take monthly infusions along with MRIs, PET scans and other cognitive assessments.

In retirement, Garry and his wife were blessed to take several trips. Among his favorite places were Israel, the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska. Garry found great enjoyment in fishing, spoiling his dogs, taking care of his yard, playing pool, creating and building "things" and being with family. He was passionate about sports, especially his favorite teams, St Louis Cardinals, Mizzou Tigers and Kansas City Chiefs. He really loved making people laugh and being the life of the party and enjoyed singing and being helpful to people. His first love was that of spreading the Gospel of Jesus. At his Memory Care facility, he would bust into singing gospels songs or praying for staff and the residents. Over the years Garry participated in Greene County Prison Ministries, Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland, MO, facilitating Living Free groups, and various other volunteering jobs for church and community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy, and Geneva Pedersen and one brother, Gerald Pedersen (Mary) of Hartville, MO. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Julia Pedersen of Springfield, MO; A son, Eric Pedersen and his wife Devin, and step-grandson Jaydon of Marshfield, MO. He also leaves behind two stepdaughters, Myranda Porter and her husband, Mike and their children Quentin and Lyla, and Emily Laurie and her husband Spencer, and their children, Sloane, Skylar & Jackson, all of Springfield, MO. His brothers, Dr. Herbert Pedersen (Barbara) of Duncanville, TX, and Ronnie Pedersen of Hartville, MO. His sisters, Phyllis Hensley of Seymour, MO, Linda Cravens of Hartville, MO, Debbie Rost (Wayne) of Marshfield, MO and Brenda Bradshaw (Kenny) of Seymour, MO and several nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Seasons Hospice for their love and care of Garry.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Klingner-Cope at Rivermonte 4500 S Lone Pine, Springfield. A Celebration of Life will be held on December 31, 2024 at 10 am. Service will be held at Second Baptist Church, 3111 E. Battlefield, Springfield, MO, in the Gathering Room-east side of the building. Family only graveside services will be at Rivermonte Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, in memory of Garry, donations may be made to t2t.org/donate/ Tunnel to Towers Foundation.