John Anderson

John Odeen Anderson

John Odeen Anderson died peacefully in his sleep on June 18, 2016 at the age of 93.  John was born in Tremonton, Utah on December 6, 1922, to Richard David Anderson and Emma Wilma Catherine Sandstrom Anderson.  He was the second of four children: Richard Anderson (deceased), Emma Rae Anderson Eyre (deceased) and is survived by his brother David Anderson.  John Anderson believed that if he worked hard, opportunities to serve would find him.  The young man from Tremonton did just that.

John (Jack) Anderson graduated from Bear River High School, where he was the athletic manager and participated in student government, the debate team, and even had major roles in a few plays.  In 1940, John went to the Utah State Agricultural College (Utah State University).   While pursuing his degree he was actively involved in campus fraternity life, school, and leadership positions.

The most important person he ever met was Verna Meyer, a pretty coed at Utah State.   His attraction to her went beyond her lovely face.  He particularly appreciated the way that they could talk about meaningful things together.  They fell in love in the summer of 1942 as World War II engulfed the nation.  He had joined the Marine Corps Reserve and was soon called to active duty.  John and Verna were married December 25, 1943, in Verna’s home in Smithfield, Utah.   John was home for one day and despite all the protests of their mothers to open the Logan Temple on Christmas Day for them-- the temple remained closed. They were sealed in the Logan Temple after the war on March 6, 1946.

The years between July 1, 1943 and May 1946 were active military years. John attended  Special Officers Candidate School at Colorado Springs.  After additional military training, he was stationed at the Headquarters Fleet Marine Corps Force at Pearl Harbor for the remainder of the war.  John continued his service in the Marine Corps Reserves after the war.  He returned to active duty during the Korean War serving at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point North Carolina.  Years later he retired from the Reserves as a Lt. Colonel in the U. S. Marine Corps.

In 1947, John resumed his educational goals at Utah State University. With the help of the G.I. Bill he completed a Masters Degree in Speech Correction from Utah State University and in 1950 received his PhD at Ohio State University in Audiology and Speech Pathology.

John Anderson spent his entire professional career at Southern Illinois University (S.I.U).  He was hired as a Professor in Speech and Hearing Disorders.  He was passionate about opening doors for youth who were physically and mentally challenged.  In conjunction with S.I.U. and Easter Seals, he helped establish a summer camp where children and teens with disabilities could learn to swim, canoe and just enjoy the outdoors with their peers.  In later years, he focused on rehabilitation of head trauma victims and was a co-founder of the Center for Comprehensive Services.  In recognition of his work, a home for living skills was named The Anderson House in Carbondale, Illinois.

He had the opportunity to hold many administrative positions at Southern Illinois University.  He served as Assistant to the President for Public Services and Relations, Assistant and Associate Dean of the Graduate School, University Coordinator of Research and Projects and Dean of International Education.  As Dean of International Education, he was responsible for international programs on campus and abroad.  One of the highlights of his career was establishing a vocational education program in Kathmandu, Nepal in conjunction with U.S. Agency for International Development and the Government of Nepal. During the initial stages of the contract he spent two years in Nepal with his family. Those years were a time of achievement for the program and remained a source of many happy memories for the entire family.

John enjoyed participating in community service activities.  He served as President of the Southern Illinois Easter Seal Society for three years and was on the State Easter Seal Board of Directors for six years.  He was a Vice President and President of the Egyptian Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Illinois and a Silver Beaver recipient. He was active in the Cotton Mission Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and served as President Elect, President, Past President, and National Vice President for Southwest Utah.

John and Verna loved serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  When the family first arrived in Carbondale, Illinois in 1950, it was with the intent to work for a few years in Carbondale for the university until they could get a job in the west, closer to extended family.  However, being part of the growth of the church was so rewarding that John and Verna stayed for 39 years.  In the beginning, John and Verna held Church in their kitchen with a few members.  By the time he retired and finally left Illinois for the west in 1989, John had been involved in forming and participating in new Branches, a District, and two new stakes. He served as Branch President twice, District President twice, and as Stake President.

Within a year of moving to St. George, John and Verna received a mission call to serve in the Chicago Temple as a sealer.  Upon returning, again, to St. George, John was called to be a Stake Patriarch with Verna as scribe.

Dad always said that every good thing he did was made possible with Verna by his side.  John and Verna stand as an example of eternal marriage.   John Anderson is beloved and missed by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his friends; however, we cannot help but smile when we think of John and Verna together again.

John is survived by six children--Janet (Brent) Harris, Mary Lou (Norm) Frey, Monte Richard (Diane) Anderson, Cathy (John) Merrill, Jacquelyn (Mitch) McAllister, and Brian John (Sheri) Anderson;31 grandchildren; and  78 great-grandchildren.

Our Dad, grandfather and great grandfather is our lodestar and his example of service, love of his fellowmen and the gospel will always guide our lives.

Services will be held Thursday, June 23, 2016, in the Edgemont 9th Ward meetinghouse located at 4300 North Canyon Road, Provo Utah.  There will be a viewing from 5:30 to 6:40 PM with funeral services from 7:00-8:00 PM.  Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery Friday, June 24th at 11 AM.  Rather than flowers, please send donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.