Rev. Dr. Gerald O. ('Jerry') Pedersen

Gerald O. (Jerry) Pedersen was born August 19, 1925, in Sylvan Grove, Kansas, the youngest of four children to Elsabeth and Oscar Pedersen, children of Danish immigrants. His family moved to Long Beach, California in 1926 and Jerry’s early life was shaped by the Great Depression, as his father drove a bakery truck, his mother took in laundry, and Jerry contributed delivering newspapers from a young age. Trinity Lutheran church played a central role in the family’s community life and Jerry became the youth Luther League president. In the Boy Scouts he attained his Eagle Scout rank (and passion for mountain climbing).

In 1943 upon high school graduation, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and was placed in the V-12 program at UC Berkeley for engineering and officer training. He requested transfer to active war duty after a year of studies and was fortunate to serve on the USS Missouri as a Marine Honor Guard. There he heard the ship’s loudspeaker announcing our use of a new ‘atomic’ bomb that destroyed entire cities, he witnessed the Japanese surrender signing ceremony ending a world war that took many millions of lives, and listened as General MacArthur proclaimed: “We must preserve in peace, what we won in war… the utter destructiveness of war, now blots out this alternative.” Jerry’s experiences of these events were a pivotal influence on the direction of his life. At 20, he resolved to be a ‘Peacemaker’.

After the war, he returned to Long Beach where he met his future wife, Drusilla (‘Dru’) Spong, his first Sunday back at church. They married in 1948 and shared many adventures, while raising their three children Brad, Kim and Scott. Jerry continued higher education with his GI Bill benefits, earning his Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College, Masters of Theology from Northwestern Theological Seminary, and Doctorate from the Southern California School of Theology at USC and Claremont. He later completed postdoctoral work at the London School of Economics on a grant.

With a strong sense of higher purpose for humanity, Jerry was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1951 with the intent of advocating for a more just and peaceful world, within a faith-based context. With Dru at his side, he began his pastoral career in mission development in Baldwin Park, California 1951-58; then seminary professor at Central Lutheran Seminary, Nebraska 1959-60; extending into Campus Ministry at Portland State University 1960-64; the University of East Africa, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 1964-67; San Francisco State University 1967-1972; with a return to congregational ministry in Mission Viejo, California 1973-92, bringing his diverse experiences to a growing church.

Jerry was an unwavering advocate for civil rights, profoundly influenced by his meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1961. His experience of oppressive segregation aboard the USS Missouri had been deeply troubling and Dr. King’s personal challenge for pastors to “get off the sidelines” and be an “extremist for love” resonated deeply with Jerry, shaping his ministry and advocacy efforts to confront social injustices with active non-violence.

During his 3-year tenure as Protestant chaplain at the only University in newly independent Tanzania, Jerry represented his faith while also fostering interfaith dialogue among students, faculty and religious leaders of many faiths. These students would fill high level government positions after only a few years and developing social responsibility was a government priority. He and Dru had the honor of meeting President Nyerere, leader of the nation’s independence movement and other dignitaries who visited the campus, learning much of the concerns of newly independent developing nations. Dru worked as assistant to the dean of Public Administration. Before returning to the US, the family had explored East Africa, Egypt, Israel/Palestine and much of Europe.

Jerry returned to the U.S. in 1967, becoming Lutheran chaplain and director of the ‘Ecumenical House’ at San Francisco State College during a period of growing social activism. In 1968, Jerry's support of the Black Student movement’s demands for Ethnic Studies programs and increased minority enrollments, led to his assault and arrest when he stood as non-violent witness to 600 police sent on campus to shut down a campus-wide student strike, testing his dedication to stand in defense of social justice even at personal risk. Seeing his clerical collar and cross, a student had called out: “I thought the Church was dead, but I see now, it’s not.”

The Lutheran bishop supported Jerry fully in the aftermath of public controversy: “I’ve always appreciated your clear insights into the social responsibilities of the ministry and your courageous application of those insights in personal and public life. I’ve been proud to work with you on some of the ‘confrontations’ our mutual commitments demanded.” Three of Jerry’s students were elected to leadership roles in the new national Lutheran Student Movement. Today the SFSU Ethnic Studies department is the longest continuous such program in the nation and in 2008, Jerry was invited as a panel speaker for the 40th Anniversary of the student strike.

The family moved to London in 1971 where Jerry completed a year of postdoctoral studies on the National Health Care system and Kim and Scott attended British schools. Not missing an opportunity for more travel, the family explored Europe and Scandinavia via VW camper van, before returning to San Francisco.

In 1973, Dr. Pedersen became senior pastor at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Mission Viejo, California where he served 19 years, and where Dru and he formed deep friendships. His ministry was joyful and inclusive of all, while emphasizing social justice and peace issues. Educational speakers, workshops and field trips to different communities (including in Mexico) were featured and members were encouraged to support the United Farm Workers’ grape strike, the Nuclear Freeze Initiative, minority equal justice, environmental stewardship, and examine the ethics of invading Panama, the Persian Gulf, and involvement in Central America. Discussions of current issues were encouraged and the church was featured in a Lutheran Church video “If Not Here, Then Where”. The congregation grew to over 1000 members and youth confirmation classes were large. After building a new sanctuary, Jerry learned a different way of creating stained glass windows and together with many church volunteers, completed large beautiful windows for the church themselves. He also organized group tours for international travel.

Members wrote: “that is exactly the pastor we need, someone who would dare to shake us up once in a while… made us understand what true discipleship means, to fight for justice and peace in our broken world and to love our neighbors… because of your tireless efforts our congregation grew by leaps and bounds”; “Jerry you reminded us of our Christian responsibility… You spoke to our conscience, even when we didn’t want to listen. Like Jesus, you walked the walk”; and “We want you to know that there is a beautiful energy, a full presence about you that stirs up in us a feeling of spirit, of the oneness we all seek. Thank you for your energy, for throwing us back on ourselves, for it all.”

Jerry indeed exuded a joyful loving energy and passion, coupled with a deep commitment to relentlessly pursue the vision of a more humane world. His dedication to peace and justice work was not confined to his congregation, serving as President of the ‘Orange County Interfaith Peace Council’ for several years; Board president of the National ‘Lutheran Peace Fellowship’; as well as, Board President of ‘Orange County Hospice’ foundation. The ‘Orange County Peace Commission’ wrote: “Your presentation at the Peacemaking Conference was positively eloquent in building the case for active Christian involvement in peacemaking. We are very fortunate to have you lead us along the path of peacemaking and spiritual growth.”

On sabbatical in 1980, “to renew my vision and spiritual reservoir… in one of the main places Christ shows himself, among the poor, oppressed, exploited of the earth”, Jerry traveled through Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Ecuador. He experienced first-hand military presence on the streets, a pervasive fear of violence and oppression, grinding poverty, and learned about ‘liberation theology’, further strengthening his resolve to advocate for the oppressed. In 1990 he volunteered with ‘Witness for Peace’ to be an international civilian ‘shield’ in a frightened Nicaraguan village during the unofficial ‘Iran-Contra’ war. He shared these experiences on his return encouraging Christian reflection.

For Jerry's retirement in 1992, Bishop Olson wrote: “Dru and Jerry, you have both been the kind of restless and probing disciples the church has needed and has had so few of. You have cut away the thick overlay of gentle and inoffensive Christianity challenging pastors and members to lives of risk for the sake of the gospel. As restless searchers after God’s love and justice you have made us all rethink what God expects of us and the Church. Thanks.”

Jerry then pastored at Stanford’s University Lutheran Chapel 1998-99 while the congregation’s hiring of an openly gay pastor was stalled in the midst of national church debate on this issue. In 1999, Jerry and Dru moved to Sacramento and joined St. John’s Lutheran Church downtown (where he interned in 1951). With his background as a congregational pastor, university ecumenical campus chaplain, seminary professor, overseas ‘missionary’, and well known stand on social issues, he contributed a unique fresh vitality participating in the many congregational discussions. He also served as a pastor at both First English Lutheran, and the Lutheran Church in Lodi.

Jerry remained dedicated to promoting social justice and peace issues through continued activism and community engagement. He led nonviolence training workshops and co-founded a retired pastors’ group, ‘Thinking, Active, Senior Clergy’. Drawing on his experiences to underscore the importance of nonviolent movements, he often participated at the State Capitol advocating with social justice and anti-war groups for a living wage, farm worker rights, opposing the death penalty, seeking legislation to curb gun violence, opposing the invasion of Iraq - continuing his unwavering vision of a less violent, more just world. He also completed a book ‘’Unfinished Journey: From War to Peace, from Violence to Wholeness’ sharing deeply thoughtful perspectives on the ways of ‘peacemaking’ through his many experiences in the US and abroad from his time as a WWII Marine to the expanding ‘war on terrorism’.

At 89, Jerry was arrested for civil disobedience with other pastors on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday at the entrance of Beale Air Force Base to bring attention to the use of ‘drone strikes’ and their numerous “collateral” deaths of children in this new ‘Artificial Intelligence’ warfare. In earlier years he had joined with clergy in protests calling for an end to nuclear war testing at the Nevada Test site.

In May 2020 after 71 years of marriage, Jerry lost his beloved life partner, Dru, with her wise counsel, caring diplomacy, uplifting humor, and unwavering love through it all. She brightened any gathering and their loving partnership brought joy to all they met. Their love for each other only deepened through the years.

When Jerry’s invitation to be honored for the 75th Anniversary of the Surrender signing aboard the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor on September 2, 2020, was moved online due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he remained undeterred and gave several impassioned interviews at the age of 95. (See ‘Veteran marks 75th anniversary of WWII surrender’, and ‘WWII surrender signing witness Jerry Pedersen recalls the historic moment,’ (see links at end). In a Zoom call with the U.S. Defense Secretary, Mark Esper, Jerry urged avoidance of war with a greater dedication to improving skills of peacemaking through justice and diplomacy, and encouraged commitment to a well-funded Peace Academy to advance those skills. (‘SECDEF Zoom call with WWII Vets’, link at end). As a survivor of the most lethal war in history, he felt compelled to push for better ways to make war avoidable. By 2024, Jerry was one of only three remaining witnesses to the USS Missouri Surrender signing of 1945.

Jerry’s WWII service in the dawn of nuclear war power, his awareness of humanity’s impact on an ever-evolving creation story, his rejection of a culture of violence, and dedication to being a ‘peacemaker’ committed to social justice, with overwhelming love for the world - this is his visionary legacy.

He was a loving father and grandfather who expressed his gratitude for each member of his family, as well as, for a very full healthy life, and the many friends along the way. He is survived by his son Brad Pedersen of West Sacramento and partner, Suzy Becker, his daughter Kim Pedersen of Sausalito, and his son Scott Pedersen and daughter-in-law Carrie, and their children Margot and (soon-to-be Eagle Scout) Dane, and his grandchildren McKenna and Blake Pedersen, and their mother his former daughter-in-law Kim Ledden Pedersen, of Sacramento.

With a joyful spirit, relentless courage and vision, Jerry lifted all who knew him. He lived life fully engaged with a contagious passion and energy, while undeniably committed to staying true to the teachings of Jesus’ life in advocating for a world motivated by love and justice for all, and with a deep sense always, of the Eternal One.

As we remember Rev. Dr. Gerald O. Pedersen, we celebrate a life lived with deep purpose, unwavering faith, and unceasing positive energy. He dared to dance in the midst of life, always daring our better selves to just reach for that more loving world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugirbqr_UwM

https://www.khon2.com/coronavirus/marine-jerry-pedersen-recalls-the-historic-moment-of-the-wwii-surrender-signing/

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/765778/secdef-zoom-call-with-wwii-vets