Joseph J. Pehrson Obituary (1929 - 2012)

”Opa”Our loving father, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, grandfather (opa), great-grandfather & friend passed away August 21, 2012 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s. He will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.He was born on February 22, 1929 in Provo, Utah to Oliver & Maren Pehrson. He married Barbara Jean Roskelley on July 9, 1951 in Concord, California; later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, March 17, 1953. They were married 53 years and had 6 children.He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints & had a strong testimony of the gospel. He served in many church callings, but the one he loved the most was that of bishop which he had the opportunity to serve in four times and was the Branch President in Augsburg, Germany and served in the Branch Presidency at St. Joseph’s Villa.He loved his family and was proud of each one of them, anything BYU, sports, horseshoe pitching, western movies, M.A.S.H., keeping the carpet clean with a mop, & his pocket on his shirts.At the age of 22 he was called to fight in the Korean War and served honorably. He was a BYU graduate, with a Political Science Major. He was a hard worker and a remarkable man that has taught us all many important lessons most of which is love of family and dedication to the Gospel. Since Mom’s passing in 2004, Dad has looked forward to the day that he and his Frau “Bob” could be united again, this time forever.He leaves behind brother, Les (Marge) Pehrson; sister, June Manning; children, Karen (Richard) Bainbridge of Oakridge Tennessee, Micheal (Shauna) Pehrson of South Jordan, UT, Derk (Julia) Pehrson of Salt Lake City, UT, Brad (Alexis) Pehrson of Salt Lake City, UT, James (Maria) Pehrson of Centennial, CO, and Chad (Veronica) Pehrson of South Jordan, UT; 26 grandchildren; and 44 great-grand-children, with four on the way. What a great heritage he has left behind. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara; sister, Faye Smith; and grandson, Anthony John (Tony Baloney).Thanks to the many care givers that helped Dad stay in his home as long as he did.Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 4220 South 420 East, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held Friday August 24, 2012, at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State St. from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday prior to services at the church from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Interment will be held in the Elysian Burial Gardens cemetery.