Aksel G. Pedersen

Aksel G. Pedersen, beloved husband and father, lost his long, hard-fought battle with cancer on January 29, 2012 at the age of 82. He was at home, surrounded by his loving family. The elder child of Danish immigrants, Aksel exemplified the highest ideals of honor, duty and service in all aspects of his life: as a husband, father, first-generation American, United States Marine, sheriff's deputy, investigator, auditor, instructor and published author. Aksel also served the Sierra Madre community as a Cub Scout leader, girls' softball coach, City Council candidate and volunteer usher at St. Rita's Catholic Church. Aksel spent the majority of his youth in West Hollywood with his parents Aksel Sr. and Helga, and his younger brother Kenneth. At just 17, Aksel left Hollywood High School to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served as a radio operator in the waning months of World War II, and he was later recalled during the Korean War and served as an instructor at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif. Upon discharge from active duty in 1951, Aksel enrolled at Woodbury College where he earned his B.A. in Business Administration, and later studied criminal justice at Los Angeles City College. Aksel then joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, patrolling the Malibu area during the mid-1950s. Through a mutual friend, Aksel met the stunning Marie Leroy, and six months later they exchanged vows on October 20, 1956 at Our Mother of Good Council Church with a reception at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The marriage lasted 55 years, produced five children—Dana (and husband Mark), Aksel, Kirk (and wife Susan), Lynne (and husband Paul) and Erik (and wife Jocelyn)—as well as eight grandchildren: Derek Pedersen, Alec Pelsone, Walker Pedersen, Ford Pedersen, Paul Butler Jr., Egan Butler, Luke Butler and Amber Butler. It was a union marked by respect, shared partnership and a strong desire to raise not just good children, but good people. Aksel later transferred to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office as an investigator where he helped establish a cutting-edge white-collar crime and consumer fraud unit. His line of work as a fraud investigator led his youngest to tell a teacher that his father was "a fraud," which Aksel never ceased to find hilarious. Embarking on a career change, Aksel went on to establish consumer protection protocols for Mobil Oil, before taking his investigative and business administration skills to the savings and loan industry. Focusing on government compliance, internal audit and security, Aksel found that his law enforcement and business backgrounds made him a go-to resource for navigating the changes in the system, leading him to research, write and publish several compliance and audit manuals used by credit unions nationwide. As well, he took great pride in being consulted on law enforcement issues by friends and family members long after leaving the field. Aksel continued to work long past the age when most people crave the peace and quiet of retirement. He finished his career as a vice president for the Los Angeles Federal Credit Union in Glendale. When he reluctantly retired three years ago, he took solace in the many kind messages sent to him by his friends and coworkers. Throughout his life, he was a passionate reader of detective fiction and spy thrillers, reading several books a week and donating many of his favorites to support local libraries. Aksel played boogie-woogie piano in his youth, and was a fan of big band swing and jazz piano trios, especially those led by Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner and Bill Evans. Aksel was also a dog lover his entire life, adopting and caring for countless strays. In his later years, a white mixed-breed named Stewart became his constant companion. When asked how he liked to be remembered by his family, Aksel more than once said, "That I was always there." But he often liked to add with his signature deadpan humor, "That is, unless you need bail money, in which case you're on your own." Aksel Pedersen—husband, father, lawman and U.S. Marine—will remain in the thoughts and prayers of all who knew and loved him. Aksel can now rest in peace and be reunited with his late wife Marie, his loving spouse of 55 years, who passed on December 21, 2011 following her own brave battle with brain cancer. In lieu of flowers, Aksel's family requests donations be sent in his memory to La Salle High School, 3880 E Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107, c/o Irene Santucci. Donations will provide tuition assistance to La Salle students in need. All services will be held at Cabot & Sons, 27 Chestnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626-793-7159). Visitation will be February 6, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Chapel services will be February 7, 2012 at 10 a.m. with reception on-site to follow. Burial at Sierra Madre Pioneer Cemetery will be private.