Butch Pedersen Cause of Death, Bio, Age, Career, Family
How Did Butch Pedersen Die? West Branch Football Coach Cause of Death Explained: Butch Pedersen, a longtime football coach at West Branch High School, passed away.
How Did Butch Pedersen Die?
Butch Pedersen, a legendary football coach for West Branch, lost his battle with cancer on Monday morning.
Marty Jimmerson, superintendent of the West Branch Community School District, verified the information on Monday and said that a memorial ceremony would be held at the school in his honor.
“It is with a great deal of sadness that we share that Butch Pedersen, our long-time West Branch football coach, has passed away after a battle with cancer.
Over his 40 years as head football coach, Butch had an incredible impact on thousands of student-athletes. He had a reputation for never putting himself first, holding his players to high standards, and taking great pride in representing the West Branch community on the football field. He will be dearly missed.
In lieu of a physical memorial, Pedersen’s family has asked that community members donate to a medical expense fund or a memorial scholarship. Information on memorial services will be available in the coming days.”
Pedersen was one of Iowa’s most successful football coaches and he carried on last season after receiving a diagnosis. Pedersen guided the Bears to three state championships and more than 300 victories.
Jimmerson claims that rather than holding a formal memorial service, the Pedersen family is requesting contributions to a memory scholarship or medical expenditure fund. Information on Pedersen’s memorial services is still pending.
Butch Pedersen Cause of Death
We’re sorry to have to inform you that Butch Pedersen has passed away. Butch Pedersen was regarded as having a friendly personality. Many people must be curious to know the Butch Pedersen cause of death in light of the recent news.
Butch Pedersen received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer, in October 2022.
According to Lance Pedersen, Pedersen’s son, Butch began receiving hospice care last week. The illness “continues to evolve and we cannot control it,” claims Pedersen.
Lance wrote,
“…Emotions are high tonight, I sit here listening to Dad breathe and I am scared about life without him. I am also calm that I know his faith and my faith he will soon be in a better place, a place where there is no pain, a place where he will be reunited with Grandma and Grandpa again. A place someday we will be reunited again…”
Lance said that Butch talked with coaches Kirk Ferentz, Dan McCarney, and Lavar Woods individually on Friday. Lance said that the football staff and the squad had a meeting on Friday to talk about this difficult time.
In 1989, 1991, and 1992, Pedersen guided the West Branch Bears to three state championships. In 2017, he received the national coach of the year award.
Who was Butch Pedersen?
Since 1983, West Branch’s head football coach has been James “Butch” Pedersen. The longest head coaching tenure in the history of the program belongs to him at West Branch High School. In both the regular season and the postseason, it is also the most historic.
During the 1982 season, Coach Pedersen succeeded Tom Nosbish as head coach. The Bears had an 8-1 record in his debut year. Marvin Cook, a future two-time All-Big Ten and All-American performer, was a member of the 1983 squad. The New England Patriots would also choose him in the 1989 NFL Draft, and he would go on to win three NFL All-Pro tight end awards.
Coach Pedersen has achieved a lot both on and off the pitch. Since 1975, he has worked as a teacher in the West Branch district. He taught in the elementary and junior high schools before moving on to West Branch High School. In 1975, he served as a junior high coach for the West Branch football team for his first season. In 1976, he served as the Fresh-Soph head coach. In 1977, he assisted the varsity team. Pedersen was appointed varsity defensive coordinator in 1978.
Butch worked part-time as a teacher at West Branch High School. Coach Pedersen likes watching the Green Bay Packers, as well as the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick and Carver.