James Frederick Pedersen, Jr.

James “Jimmy Pete” Frederick Pedersen, Jr., 80, of Yonges Island, South Carolina, beloved husband of Suzanne S. Pedersen, entered into eternal rest peacefully at his home, Tuesday, December 23, 2025. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, 5412 Highway 165 at 12:00 pm. The family will receive friends Saturday one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Christ-St. Paul's Cemetery, 4981 Chapel Road. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.

Pete was born July 12, 1945, in Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late James “Fred” Frederick Pedersen, Sr. and Helen Baldwin Pedersen. He graduated from St. Paul’s High School and immediately went to work at James F. Pedersen Company Inc., a plumbing and mechanical contracting company that was founded by his father in 1952. At the time of his death, he was the CEO of James F. Pedersen Company Inc. which he had transitioned into a public utility company in the 1980s due to changes in the market. He built on the legacy of his father and grew the business with the help of his son James “Jim” F. Pedersen, III, who continues to run the thriving business today. Pete’s professional life was marked by dedication and leadership which earned him the respect of colleagues, employees, and family alike.

Pete loved his family, hunting, farming, and fishing. He loved spending time at his home on the Wadmalaw Sound especially on summer afternoons. He was often cooking blue crabs or low country boil and watching his family swim and boat. He loved hunting on the family farm and hunting trips around the world to new places such as New Zealand, Mexico, Australia, Nicaragua, and Argentina. He traveled to Canada on a yearly hunting trip with his father, son, and close friends to hunt ducks for 37 years. Later in life, he loved to spend his time driving his tractor and listening to country music for hours on the farm.

One of his great loves was fishing on the Pipelayer off the coast of Charleston, then all along the East Coast from Ocean City, Maryland to Palm Beach, Florida. He was a global traveler and fisherman who took his boat to places such as Bermuda, Bahamas, St. Thomas, Turks and Caicos, Costa Rica, Panama and Cabo San Lucas. He took fishing trips to other great destinations such as Alaska, Ecuador, and the Great Barrier Reef. He spent time competing in fishing tournaments. He went on to captain the Split Decision when his son caught the South Carolina state record Blue Marlin in 1990 and the Pipelayer who won the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament in 2003.

May cherished memories of Pete bring joy and laughter to family and friends as a reminder of a life well lived.

In addition to his wife of 41 years, he is survived by his son, James “Jim” F. Pedersen, III (Gayle); two daughters, Helen P. Jones and Julia P. Pedersen; grandchildren, James F. Pedersen, IV, Elizabeth Pedersen, and William Jones; one sister, Mary Helen “Teekie” Walker (Billy).

He was preceded in death by his parents, James “Fred” F. Pedersen, Sr and Helen Baldwin Pedersen.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Caris Healthcare for the support and comfort they provided during this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Hollywood, SC or the South Carolina Memorial Reef.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.