Paul William Pedersen, 77, of Poway, Calif., died Wednesday, June 20, after a lengthy battle with throat cancer.

Paul was born on April 24, 1935, in the Mason City Hospital to Erik and Helen Pedersen. In 1953, he graduated from Northwood, Iowa High School and joined the army where he served for three years.

Upon his release from the army, he married Darlene Klingfus and had two children, Daniel Paul and Debra Darlene. The couple divorced in 1968.

In 1969, Paul married Dawn McGonigle and moved to California. They later divorced and Paul married Marcie Goodman. Paul worked for many years at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego from where he retired in the late 1990s.

In his younger years, Paul was an avid softball player. He was an enthusiastic San Diego Padres and Changers fan until he passed.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Erik and Helen, and son, Daniel.

He is survived by his wife, Marcie of Poway, Calif.; daughter, Debbie (Dave) Glosser of Austin, Minn.; three step children in California, Sherri Soffe, Howard Goodman, Cathrina Goudarzi and their children; four grandchildren: Joel, Amber, Jason and Amy; four great-grandchildren: Jaxon, Aidan, Logan and Peyton; three siblings: Richard (Agatha) Pedersen of Rose Creek, Minn., Donald (Faye) Pedersen of Austin, and Lois (Paul) Daum of Lancaster, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in California. May he rest in peace.