Jeremy Pedersen, 48, of Payson, UT, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep early Saturday morning, February 23rd, in his home. He is survived by his wife, Heike, his children: Mathew, Caleb (Valentina), Brett, Erica, Camille, Jared, Alyssa, and Chelsea, and his grandchildren, Lily and Grayson; his mother, Beverly; his siblings: Donal (Gay), Melody, Brenda (Alan) Walsh, Vickie Brown, K. G. (Erin), and Shera (Kevin) Hart. Jeremy also has many nieces and nephews, too many to list, but not too many to love (you know who you are. . . ).

Jeremy was born in Los Alamitos, California, on June 4th, 1970. Growing up, he had many adventures and made many friends in the various places they lived in California and Arizona. As a teenager, he worked in many typical teenager-type jobs, then began working construction with his brother-in-law, Rickie. He worked for many years in the printing industry, then found his true calling when he was able to work with wood and build and install cabinetry. He enjoyed working with his hands, creating things, and he particularly enjoyed the relationships he built with the wonderful people he was blessed to work with. One of his biggest regrets was that his body weakened and would no longer allow him to continue to do that work.

Jeremy started playing baseball when he was a really little boy (young and short ;-), and he continued to play softball until his body would no longer allow him to do so. His family often joked that his true love was softball. While playing, he made many lifelong, dear friends, and had many THOUSANDS of hours of enjoyment. He not only loved the game, he loved the association of all the people he came into contact with, including his teammates, opponents, umpires, the field maintenance crew, the kids on the sidelines, and anyone else he could befriend.

His love of people was not limited to those he came into contact with on a regular basis. He befriended and loved people he met in take-out windows, doctor’s offices, grocery lines, church, walking down the street – if Jeremy saw you, he would try to make a connection with you. Many people have reached out to express their love for him, which is a testament to how many people he loved and touched.

Jeremy was fun-loving, and was a huge tease. His children, nieces, and nephews, remember how he would put an insulin syringe in his arm and run after them, pretending to scream in pain, and then tell them to push in the shot. When he was in charge of kids, the most common phrase was “Don’t tell your mom. . .” He was not a great follower of rules. He also loved to drink soda, wrestle with the kids, fish, drink soda, shoot guns, drive fast, watch TV while drinking soda, build campfires, and loved to go get a soda with his kids.

Jeremy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved his Savior, and never doubted that the gospel was true. He strove to do his best, and to live in a way that would show his children, as well as others who knew him, that he knew that our Savior is real, and that his atonement was for all of us. He served in many ways in the church, but especially loved his callings in the Primary, for he loved children. When Jeremy was a boy, a man in his ward always handed out candy, which made him Jeremy’s favorite ward member. This memory caused Jeremy to make sure he always had candy in his pockets, and to hand it out to children in the ward (usually without parental permission). He was always a favorite of the children in the ward.

Jeremy most cherished calling in life was being a father and a grandfather. He loved his family, and all of them knew it. His love knew no boundaries, and his embraces were often enthusiastic. He is dearly loved, and will be dearly missed. Jeremy’s favorite church song was “Families can be Together Forever,” and this was his favorite part of the gospel. We share this belief, and are looking forward to seeing him and receiving his overly enthusiastic hugs when we join him in the Spirit World. We love you, Jeremy.

There will be two public viewings for Jeremy, the first on Friday evening, March 1st, at Payson’s Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, UT, from 6-8pm, and then, prior to his funeral, from 9:30 – 10:30 am, at Payson West Stake Center, 780 West 500 South Payson, Ut. Jeremy’s funeral will begin promptly at 11am. Interment will be in Highland City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted through Venmo: @Heike-Pedersen, or through our Go-Fund Me .