Gary Edward Anderson

Gary Edward Anderson, age 69, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday May 1, 2017.

Gary was born February 16, 1948 in Cedar City, Utah to Joseph Bryant and Belva Murie Anderson.  Gary spent the first few years of his life in Cedar City, but he would say he grew up in Bountiful, UT.  During his school years he worked as a paper boy, a drive-in projectionist, a ranch hand, and assistant chef.  He excelled at everything he tried.  Gary graduated from Bountiful High School in 1966.   He served in the National Guard from 1965-1968 learning to be a helicopter pilot and seeing the wonders this country has to offer.

In 1969 Gary was called to the Central British Mission in Birmingham England to serve an LDS mission.  He always spoke of his mission as one of the greatest experiences of his life, and has never stopped being a missionary.  His testimony and knowledge of the gospel was constantly being strengthened and shared.

Gary had a wonderful college experience and graduated from Southern Utah State University in 1973 with a Bachelor's Degree in Botany, minor in Chemistry, his secondary school teaching certificate and was qualified to teach in the church education system. During his time at college he helped start a fraternity TAU BETA SIGMA that allowed for fun without compromising morals.  He was a botany lab assistant, elementary school custodian, disc jockey for the college radio station and in the summers he worked for the National Forest Service fighting forest fires.

He has always been a sponge for knowledge and was always willing and excited to learn new things. He embraced any opportunity to teach and found great joy in sharing that knowledge.

Gary moved to Salt Lake City in 1973 to start working as an eighth grade science teacher.  In the summer of 1975 Gary met Karen Dibble and she sang her way into his heart.  They were married on August 10 1976, in the Salt Lake City, UT LDS Temple.  Gary and Karen started their marriage and family in Salt Lake City before moving to Martinez, CA in 1988.

In 1988, Gary started his own engineering water treatment company, Aqua Pro.  He loved being his own boss.  Through this opportunity, he was able to employ many people who needed work and to teach his daughters about the importance of hard work, dedication and persistence.

Gary loved to travel, spend time in nature, meet new people, eat unusual food and listen to beautiful music.  His wife, Karen woke up the love of opera and concert works. He loved hearing her many students throughout the years.  He was her biggest fan. Every story he tells in his history talks about the "cool" car that he or someone else was driving, such as the 1963 Falcon convertible he purchased for their 1st anniversary.   He loved sailing in the San Francisco Bay. Gary had such a passion for life.  He never wanted to miss a moment.

His approach to life allowed Gary to remain upbeat and positive even after a debilitating stroke in 2009.  He has always had a talent for art, but after his stroke, this became a passion and a form of therapy.  He looked at it as a gift from God.  Many of his skills were lost after his stroke, but his creative and artistic ability was amplified.  He was able to share his thoughts, feelings and his beautiful outlook of life through the colors and inspired images that he put onto the canvas.  We invite you to enjoy his gallery of paintings at www.paintingwithastroke.com .

Gary is survived by his wife Karen and their 2 daughters Emily (Jason) Seaton and Melissa Anderson (Kyle Riley). 1 sister; Ruth Anderson, and 3 brothers; J. Bryant Anderson, Roger Anderson, and Scott Anderson and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to share their immense gratitude for all of the medical staff and caregivers that have supported and cared for Gary from the day of his stroke until his passing.  Each persons' service and spirit touched Gary's life and the lives of those around him leaving a lasting impression that won't be forgotten.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the Founders Park 6th Ward, 5072 West Dock Street, South Jordan, UT 84009. There will be a viewing Saturday from 10:00-10:40 a.m.  Interment will be at the South Jordan Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the burial expenses.  There will be an area to donate at the funeral or for your convenience a gofundme page has been set up at gf.me/u/b694u4.