Charles "Chuck" Pederson

Charles “Chuck” Raymond Pedersen, 68, of Clarksville, TN, passed away on June 8, 2026.

Chuck was born on February 16, 1958 in Durango, CO to Jens and Wilhelmine Pedersen. He grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, then moved to California in search of new opportunities. A self-taught engineer, he worked his way up into multiple leadership roles, culminating in a position as Senior Fire Life Safety Engineer at Amgen, where he worked for 31 years. Chuck was an invaluable member of the team, great at his job, and was highly respected by the people he worked with.

Outside of work, Chuck spent more than 30 years fighting for motorcyclists’ rights with A.B.A.T.E., first in his role as President of Local 3, then as Legislative Director and finally as Executive Director for the state of California.

Chuck retired, then moved with his wife Kathlean to Clarksville, TN to enjoy nature and spend time with his loved ones. He spent his last days at home surrounded by family and faced death the same way he faced life — bravely, and entirely on his own terms.

He was a lifelong biker, a loving husband and father, a brilliant thinker, and a straight shooter. He had an adventurous spirit and a generous soul. He loved children and animals, was passionate about music and photography, and did his best to live his life in a way others could look up to and respect.

He is survived by his wife Kathlean, his son Dan, his mother Wilhelmine, his siblings Carl, Jens, Jimmy, and Michelle, his stepchildren Jenny, Kenny and Michael, nine step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren.

He will be missed.

Please visit Chuck’s online guestbook at www.sykesfuneralhome.com and share a memory with the family.