Laura Jean (Lewis) Pederson

Laura Jean (Lewis) Pederson, passed away on November 21, 2024, at the age of 70. A fifth generation Texan, she was born in Houston, Texas on February 9, 1954, to Vernon B., Jr., and Patsy Jean (Oldham) Lewis. In 2006, Jean married Bruce J. Pederson and they celebrated 18 years of marriage before her passing.

Jean grew up as an “army brat,” living at numerous posts throughout the United States and in Munich, Germany. In 1976, she graduated with a political science degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Jean was known for her Christian faith, patriotism, integrity, intelligence, determination, and sense of justice.

These traits led Jean to a career in the public and private sectors. She worked as a senior financial investigator for the U.S. Resolution Trust Corporation where she investigated wrongdoing at the defunct Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan in Little Rock, AR. Her criminal referrals to the U. S. Justice Department spawned the “Whitewater Scandal” in the mid 1990’s and led to the convictions of numerous public figures. Despite intense efforts to intimidate her, Jean defended her investigative findings by testifying before several Congressional committees in Washington, D.C. Jean’s public service also included her appointment as Chief of Staff to the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Defense between 2002-2004. In recognition of her efforts, the Inspector General awarded her a Medal for Superior Civilian Service.

Jean’s private sector work occurred at Sprint telecommunications in Overland KS, Western Union in Denver, CO and U.S. Bank in Minneapolis, MN. While employed at Western Union and U.S. Bank she stood up new departments designed to combat global money laundering and the movement of money by terrorist organizations.

Jean loved spending time with family and friends alike, all of whom will miss her smile and clever sense of humor. Jean was a loyal friend who never met a stranger. She mentored many people and adopted numerous rescue dogs over the years. Her knowledge of television shows, movies, and music were both broad and deep. Jean drew on those interests when playing the piano.

Jean leaves behind her husband, Bruce; her parents, Major General and Mrs. Vernon B. Lewis, Jr. (USA – Ret.); sister Teresa Duggan and her husband Philip; her brother Vernon “Buddy” Lewis, III; nieces and nephews Benjamin Duggan and his wife Chelsea, Annie Edmonds and her husband Andrew, Amelia Ancell and husband Zack, and Olivia Lewis; as well as five great nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Jean will be held Tuesday, December 3 from 5:00-6:00 PM at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel with a rosary recited at 6:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, December 4 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8035 S Quebec St, Centennial, Colorado 80112.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations in Jean's name: Tunnel to Towers Foundation; Wounded Warrior Project; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Dumb Friends League; American Liver Foundation; the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; and Catholic Charities (Denver & Colorado Springs).