Kevin Pedersen

Kevin Wayne Pedersen was born on the 26th of December 1957, the oldest child of Harold and Sandra Gayle Johnson Pedersen. Kevin has a brother, Clifford, that is just 14 months younger. The boys were followed by Kristen, Karen (stillbirth) and Karma. When Kevin was just 10 years of age his mother passed away. His Christensen grandparents helped care for the children. The following year Hal remarried Helen Kay Mecham. She brought a son, Randy, and sisters: Heidi, Kim, and Sonia to the family. One more sister, Rachel, completed the family.

As a child Kevin learned his love for music from his mother Sandra who sang with a women’s barbershop quartet. Perched on the arm of the sofa he learned to harmonize with the ladies. Hal also loved to sing and play country-western music. Kevin studied piano and progressed rapidly, perhaps possessing perfect pitch. Through Junior High and High School Kevin performed with the band. He quickly learned to play most brass instruments.

At sixteen Kevin auditioned for a national band and choral group that spent six weeks touring Europe. This group included two euphonium players, one from Hawaii and one from Kaysville. As a member of the Davis High Band, he traveled to Washington D. C. to represent the state of Utah in the National Cherry Blossom Parade, part of the 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations.

Kevin served an LDS mission. Two months in the Language Training Center, 14 months in Indonesia before all missionaries were expelled from this mostly Muslim country, then to the Philippines in the Mission office as assistant to the President and the last three months on a tiny island to begin a new branch. When Kevin’s faith was tested by the trials of life he drew upon these anchoring experiences.

Kevin attended the University of Utah prior and following his mission. He has played with the Ute Marching Band and Pep Band, the Northern Utah Honor Band, the 2002 Olympic Band, and the Salt Lake Wind Symphony. His principal instrument was the euphonium, however he also played trumpet, trombone, baritone and piano. He was blessed with a rich baritone voice. He could harmonize with any singer on almost any part.

He enjoyed almost every sport: including baseball, basketball, fishing, hiking, camping, golfing and became a master diver. He competed in Iron-Man competitions and 50 and 100-mile bike races. Kevin was a master wood worker and created beautiful furniture.

In a near fatal motorcycle accident on 9/9/94 Kevin was left with a broken back that caused him extreme pain for the remainder of his life. He fought back to walk, hold a job and serve those around him.

While working in the Music Dept of the U of U, Kevin met Laurel Hunt, a returning music student, and they had a second chance at finding love. They married just five days before Christmas and were later sealed in the Bountiful Temple on 5/5/2005. Although Kevin had served in many church callings, one of Kevin’s favorite callings was Primary pianist and Primary teacher.

Kevin passed away on the 9th of September 2025, surrounded by close friends and his sweetheart. He is survived by his wife, Laurel Hunt Pedersen; his children, Preston, Megan, Pace, Parker, and Malory; his stepchildren Paul, Melissa, Adrianne, Lieschen, Preston, and Isaac, their spouses and twenty-four grandchildren; his father Hal Pedersen, siblings and extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday, September 12, 2025 at the Bountiful 4th Ward Chapel 102 East 1400 South, Bountiful, Utah where friends may visit family from 10:00 -10:30 am prior to the services. Internment: Riverton City Cemetery, 1500 West 13200 South, Riverton,

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary.