Memorial set for mother, son

Published Jan. 23, 2008

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- A memorial service for the wife and son of a 463rd Airlift Group member is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship off US-67/167 in Sherwood, Ark.

Air Force Reserve Maj. Carrie Gayle Pedersen, wife of Maj. Jim Pedersen, and their son Lucas were killed in a car accident Jan. 6.

Carrie was born to Wayne and Darlene Loudermilk on March 5, 1973, in Oklahoma City, Okla. After she graduated from Doherty High School, Colorado Springs, Colo. in 1991, she received an appointment from the Air Force Academy. She stood out as an athlete playing women's basketball all four years, and graduated May 29, 1996.

While at the Academy she met and fell in love with Jim, and they were married May 30, 1996. They had two children, Ashley Louise, 6, and Lucas James, 2.

Lucas, born in Colorado Springs on May 31, 2005, was an energetic 2-year-old, according to family and friends. He attended Sylvan Hills ELC Mother's Day Out three times a week where he melted hearts with his blond hair, blue eyes and mischievous smile, they said.
They are survived by Jim, Ashley, parents and grandparents, Wayne and Darlene Loudermilk, and grandmother, Lois Hieronymus. Internment services were held
Wednesday at the Air Force Academy.

Relatives are asking in lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to the Carrie and Lucas Pedersen Memorial Fund c/o Master Sgt. Mike Lindstrom 314 CMSgt. Williams Dr., Little Rock AFB, Ark. 72099.