Richard Axel Pedersen was born in Chicago, IL on November 24, 1941, to Axel Lorrel and Grace Mary (Teisler) Pedersen, and passed into eternal life on December 28, 2018, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Dixie, his brother Jerry, and his grandson Matthew.  He is survived by his brother James, his step-mother Mary, his four children and their spouses: Richard Axel Jr. and Erin, Thomas Bond and Stacy, Jamie Pedersen and Corey Smith, Robert John and Amber, and nine grandchildren: Jennifer, Kimberly, Rachel, Eric, Abigail, Briana, Kathryn, Isabella and Victoria.

Rich graduated with his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Loyola University and received an MBA from DePaul University.  He married Dixie Jean Garver on August 24th, 1963.  He spent his career working for Teletype / AT&T, in Illinois and Arkansas.  He loved to work on his hobby farm with his wife and children.  A man of many talents, Rich enjoyed projects (especially on holidays) and woodworking.  He loved to work with his hands and could fix just about anything.  Rich will be missed by his family and remembered for his work ethic, ingenuity, determination, and his sense of humor.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 4th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Interment and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Junior Diabetes Research Foundation at www2.jdrf.org.

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.