Jake D. Pedersen - Obituary

ake David Pedersen 4/3/2007 - 12/15/2024 Jake, 17, of Davidsonville, MD, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Sunday, December 15. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Jake was a senior at The Calverton School and was set to graduate in the spring. He had not yet decided whether he wanted to attend one of the colleges to which he had been accepted, or potentially take some time pursuing another path. He was looking forward to figuring out where his skills might lead him. Jake had previously attended the Gunston School and was a 2021 graduate of the Summit School. He, along with his twin brother Matthew, moved to Calverton as juniors after attending separate schools for the previous seven years. Jake loved the freedom and independence that being able to drive to school gave them and he often chose to grab a bite, most commonly Papa John's stuffed cheesy crust pizza, on the way home. Jake had a notable weakness in recalling names but he always remembered the people and events . His quick wit and charm enabled him to make people laugh or get under their skin with equal ease. Jake quickly figured out how things work. He was amazingly adept at getting others to do things for him without objection. He loved competition, especially with his brothers, whether it be in sports, video games, or simply who can finish eating something first. He was a member of Calverton’s boys’ lacrosse team where he took pride in his improving skills in a sport which was new to him. Jake loved the outdoors, whether it was kayaking, exploring in the woods, or fishing with his dad. Jake had fallen in love with rollercoasters and enjoyed pushing himself to attempt the fastest and scariest along with his older brother Kyle. Jake occasionally indulged his mom by joining her at a Ravens game, including last year’s AFC Championship game. Most of all, Jake adored his family rescue mutts, who provided him so much joy; his beloved Bongo who passed on earlier this year, sweet Phoenix, and recent adult/senior rescues Emmett and Breezy. Jake is survived by his mother, Dana Tropp Pedersen, father Greg Pedersen, brothers Kyle and Matthew Pedersen, his grandmother, Yvonne Tropp Epstein, aunts and uncles Mary and Bryan Klir, Karen Veronesi, Janis Ground, Lisa and Tim Fitzgerald, Liz and Richard Kadin, Peggy and David Tanner, and cousins Robby Veronesi and Brian, Eric and Steven Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by his cousin Nicholas Veronesi and uncle Bob Veronesi, as well as grandparents Alan Epstein, Alton and Sharon Pedersen, and Alan Tropp. Details of a gathering to honor and celebrate Jake’s life have not yet been made but will be posted here when they become available Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.