Jay LaMar Anderson

Jay LaMar Anderson, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away in Logan, Utah, on June 17, 2023 and was reunited with his parents and younger brother, Larry, just two hours after the annual Anderson Family Reunion was held nearby.

LaMar was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 22, 1931 to Melvin and Ruth Crittenden Anderson while Melvin was in graduate school. When LaMar was three, the Anderson family moved to Idaho Falls where he lived until he enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College in 1949. He graduated with a degree in horticulture in 1955, after also serving a two-year mission in Australia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While at Utah State, he completed the ROTC program and upon graduation was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery. He began active duty in July 1955 and served a sixteen-month tour in Korea during his two years in the Army.

While attending Utah State, he met Geraldine Olsen of Paradise, Utah in an English class, and they were married in the Logan LDS Temple on October 17, 1955. Following his military service, LaMar and Jeri moved back to Madison, Wisconsin, where LaMar attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin and received a Ph.D. in plant pathology in 1961. LaMar studied under the same major professor as his father. LaMar was hired as a professor at Utah State University out of graduate school. For forty-five years, he conducted research in fruit production, taught various courses, and mentored undergraduate and graduate students. In 1994, he received the Outstanding Faculty Award from Utah State University, and the
following year, he received the Distinguished Professor Award from the College of Agriculture. He was a fellow of both the American Society for Horticultural Science and the Western Society of Weed Science and served as president of the Utah State University faculty association. Together, LaMar and Jeri traveled to numerous countries attending scientific conferences and conventions.

One of LaMar’s favorite classes to teach was floral design, and his flower arrangements were featured at many university and family celebrations. The USU floral design team competed at the national level, where several individual members won awards.

LaMar was involved in many community organizations. He was active in scouting for over sixty-five years. LaMar served as president of the Cache Valley Council and as a Wood Badge course director, and received the Silver Beaver award. He was a long-time member of Kiwanis and served as president of the
Logan Kiwanis Club, Governor of the Utah-Idaho District, and a trustee of the Kiwanis International Foundation. LaMar served as area vice president of the National Sons of Utah Pioneers
and co-president, with his wife, Jeri, of USU Emeriti, and was a member of the Old Main Society. He also delivered meals-onwheels for several years.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints his entire life and served as a Bishop of a university ward, a high councilor, and a scout leader. For many years, he served as an ordinance worker in the Logan Temple, along with Jeri, and also as a missionary on Temple Square in
Salt Lake City, where he gave tours of the gardens atop the conference center. While traveling, LaMar enjoyed visiting as many temples as possible.

The family enjoyed LaMar’s culinary skills, which included Swedish and gingerbread pancakes, homemade waffles, and Dutch oven cookouts.

Dad was eager to help his children develop their talents and was proud of their accomplishments. He regularly assisted with schoolwork, helped deliver early-morning Sunday papers for several years, attended numerous swim meets and dance and piano recitals, and accompanied his sons on many scout outings. He was a willing provider for his family and expanded our life experience through family trips and outings. Dad had a strong testimony of the Gospel and fostered our spiritual growth through his example, ordinances, and by faithfully writing his missionaries.

For his final seven years, LaMar battled Parkinson’s disease. He enjoyed fighting off the effects of the illness with Rock Steady Boxing classes at The Worx, where he made many friends with his coaches and classmates.

LaMar and Jeri have recently been living at Terrace Grove Assisted Living Center. The family would like to thank the many aids, nurses, and staff, who were always kind, patient, and professional and whom they consider extended members of their family.

He is survived by Jeri, his wife of sixty-seven years, and his four children: Marc (Diana) of Fruit Heights, Denise (Wayne) Hardy of Providence, Kraig of Logan, and Kurt (Jana) of Logan, along with eighteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and three of his brothers (Jon, Robert, and Doug).

Friends and family are invited to a viewing at Nelson Funeral Home, located at 162 East 400 North (site of the former John H. Anderson family home), on Sunday, June 25th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at the Hillcrest 2nd Ward building in Logan (1475 East 900 North) on Monday, June 26th at 11:30 am, with a viewing beforehand from 10:00 to 11:00. Interment will be at the Paradise cemetery with military honors. Services will also be available via Zoom. Please look for the link at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/

Click here to view livestream of services (password: LaMar)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88939146383?pwd=MVZGeVExMTFrQTY4ODVNVGJXNkJTZz09