SMSgt Alfred Sidney “Buddy” Pedersen, Jr., US Air Force (Ret.)

SMSgt Alfred Sidney “Buddy” Pedersen, Jr., US Air Force (Ret.), 89, of Hopkins, SC, died on Friday, September 11, 2026. Born on May 1, 1937, in Columbia, SC he was a son of Alfred Sidney Pedersen and Juanita Brooks Pedersen.

SMSgt honorably served his country in the US Air Force from 1955 to 1997. During his enlistment he was deployed during the Berlin Crisis and Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He received many decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations, and campaign ribbons for his meritorious service. He was an avid lover of fishing, hunting, firearms, and dogs.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Josie Williamson Pedersen; son, Jody Brian Pedersen (Leslie) of Anderson, SC, as well as his sisters, Susan Kruger and Diane Lewis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Pedersen.

The funeral service for SMSgt Pedersen will be held at 3 o’clock, Monday, September 21st, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 o’clock.

The burial with full military honors will be held at 11 o’clock, Tuesday, September 22nd, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4160 Percival Rd., Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1858 Merrifield, VA 22116.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.