Jimmy Anderson

1958 - 2026

James Jeffry Anderson

   James Jeffry Anderson was born in Blythe, California on July 14, 1958 and passed away March 8, 2026, also in Blythe.

   He is survived by his parents, James “Andy” and Joyce Anderson, his sister Trudy Swanner, his niece Jenna Nokamwea and family and nephew B.J. Swanner and family and friends everywhere.

   Jimmy grew up like a lot of boys of his time. There was Little League Baseball (age 7-15) and Boy Scouts (Cub to Senior Scouts). He learned to swim and water ski at the Blythe Boat Club. He loved his various bicycles, in-line skates and anything purchased from “Coach’s Corner”!

   He went hunting and fishing with his Dad and as a family camped out a lot – taking two weeks every summer with his tent. He camped the entire western half of the United States.

   Jimmy graduated in 1976 from Palo Verde High School and shortly after went to stay with his Uncle Jan in Lubbock, Texas to learn the building trade. This served him well later on as he worked in the construction of the newest county and city offices and Palo Verde College.

   He returned to Blythe in 1980 only long enough to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He did Boot Camp in San Diego and was assigned to the aircraft carrier Midway, due to go to Japan. He cruised in and out of there for his four years of service and visited New Zealand to the Aleutians. He was a Flight Deck Captain and felt that his time in the service was “the best time of his life”. He took great pride in his duty and never forgave himself for not re-enlisting.

   His first word should have been “Dodger” as it became a lifelong obsession. He had accumulated a roomful of Dodger articles, plus lots of clothes and hats!

   He loved anything from the 60’s and 70’s…clothes, music, TV shows, movies.

   Jimmy was a talented artist, especially with pen and ink. He “decorated” all the envelopes of letters sent home to family, plus those of half the crew on his ship.

   He made two really good friends toward the end of his life – Betty Lou and Maxine – his two dogs. Betty Lou was gifted to him and shortly she gifted him with 10 puppies, all born and raised under the bed until he gave them all away. Except for Maxine. The two dogs were still sleeping under the bed!

   Jimmy found a great deal of pride in his work in Fisher’s Cold Room. He could use so many of his developed skills – math, his beautiful printing, his organizational skills and even driving the fork lift.

   Jimmy was a son, brother and uncle. He was Jimmy, the guy who lived in the house by the side of the road. He was a good son to us and will be missed in every way, every day.

   A memorial service will be held for Jimmy on Wednesday, April 8th at 10am at Frye Chapel with military honors to follow at Palo Verde Cemetery where he will be laid to rest.