The following is a statement from Larry D. Peden's daughter, Keisha Ross:

On February 16th, 2026 my family and I stood by my father's side as we made the most difficult decision we have ever made together as a family.

On January 26th, my father undergone heart surgery due to 2 diseased valves located in his heart. This surgery was necessary not only for the health of his heart, but also because it allowed my father who was born and diagnosed with kidney disease the eligibility to receive a kidney transplant set for later this year.

During my father's operation the doctors ran into complications in which were identified and attributed to birth defects my father had as a baby. My father's surgery had now been escalated to critical condition and he was transported to a specialty unit at Medstar Washington Hospital in Washington D.C where he was placed on life support and received around the clock care and treatment for 3 continuous weeks. My family and I witnessed first hand the strength my father had as he fought mentally and physically for his life, and to come back to his family and wife.

On February 16th, 2026 my family was given the heart breaking news that my father's entire body had shut down and now completely relied on the life support machine to stay alive. We were given two options: my father had 48 hours until the hospital would take him off life support and within that time, if his health declined the medical team would let nature take its course and not escalate assistance or we could choose a time frame in which we could all be by his side to say good bye. Two choices that left my family and I feeling heart broken and powerless in our ability to keep our father/husband/brother/grandfather alive.

On February 16th, my family and I surrounded my father as he laid in his hospital bed unable to move or speak, but with the ability to hear and see who was with him and we sent him off by thanking him for being a father to us, a loving husband, and an inspirational brother. We played his favorite Jackson 5 songs: I'll Be There, Never Can Say Goodbye and more. We each said a prayer as we each told God how grateful and blessed we were to have experienced such a kind-hearted and loving force created by God in which I am blessed to call my father. We asked God to take good care of our father and always let him know how loved and cherished he is. My family and I all held his hand and spent his last moments comforting him as we told him that he was coming home with us, but first he has to go to sleep and when he wakes up we will all be together at home.

My father went away peacefully that day.

Today I reach out to my family, my friends, and anyone willing to listen. My father, Larry D. Peden, had many accomplishments in life, but to him his biggest and most honorable achievement was being a father and loving husband.

"The love a daughter has for her father"

— Keisha Ross

The Peden family is raising money to cover the funeral expenses for Larry D. Peden.

Larry was a loving father, husband, and US Army veteran. He loved playing the bass and riding his motorcycle. He is survived by his wife, three kids, and grandchildren. The VA will cover the burial expenses, but the majority of his funeral expenses will have to come out of pocket. If you are able to donate and help alleviate the financial burden on the Peden family it is very much appreciated.

Thank you and God bless.