Brian Andersen

1962 - 2025

Brian Kay Andersen

November 7, 1962 - March 5, 2025

- Brian Kay Andersen was born November 7, 1962 to Rex and Barbara Andersen in Salt Lake City, Utah, and passed away on March 5, 2025. He lived a magical childhood full of outdoor adventures, pranks, and colorful stories (his children didn't inherit his wild streak). He attended three years of college at the University of Utah, where he planned to major in Mechanical Engineering, until the fateful day he walked through a hotel in Las Vegas after helping his brother move and felt inspired to also move there with no job and nowhere to live. He met his future wife and the love of his life, Linda Miller, shortly afterward. They were married on April 8, 1989 in the Saint George Temple.

Together they had four children. Brian's favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. He never missed a teaching moment, was interested in whatever his wife and children were interested in, and refused to plan a normal, boring vacation. He insisted his wife never do the dishes when he was around ("you made dinner, I'll do the dishes"), cooked breakfast on the weekends, and made the best Chinese food and fettuccine alfredo. He loved to do anything with Linda, whether it be running errands, watching movies, or traveling. After his death, she found that his phone calendar had a recurring event every last Wednesday of the month that said "Do something for Linda."

Brian's talent was making his wife laugh until tears ran down her face, even in slightly inappropriate settings (like at the temple). He'd often complain before bed that whatever he'd said that night wasn't that funny and they'd never be able to go to sleep if Linda couldn't stop laughing.

Brian was always learning and reading. He enjoyed gospel discussions and touched many people's lives during his time as a bishop through his wise counsel and compassion. Brian had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel and shared it often. He always said he was so blessed that he wanted to share what he had by helping others.

Brian's second love (after Linda) was aviation. He liked to say, "Any day spent flying is a good day." Brian was a Certified Flight Instructor and could fly anything from small planes to gliders to stunt planes. He built (and was brave enough to fly in) multiple planes. He donated his time to Angel Flight, an organization of pilots who provide free air transportation to individuals for charitable or medically-related needs. Without his selfless donations of his pilot skills, plane, and aviation fuel, many deserving people wouldn't have received the medical care they needed. He even flew Mr. and Mrs. Claus every December to donate supplies to Title I schools in rural communities. Brian always said if he could have a super power, it would be flight. He also said he would NEVER go sky diving-"Why would you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?!"

Brian loved life. He lived by the adage "early to bed, early to rise," meditated twice a day, exercised, enjoyed cold showers, and lacked a sweet tooth. When his children asked for dessert after dinner, he'd offer to make them a timber float-which is, unsurprisingly, a glass of water with a toothpick floating in it. He was not, however, perfect. His vice: potato chips. His addiction: chapstick.

In 2001, Brian had an idea for a financial software program. He bought a copy of "Learn Java in 24 Hours," then he and Linda cashed out their 401k and put their house up for collateral so he could start CompuSoft Development. His children were his first employees, stamping labels on CDs and stuffing mailers. He was a risk-taker and a talented entrepreneur. In his own words from his personal history: "I've been so blessed to be able to take care of my family but also the families of so many employees. Through this experience I have come to believe that much of my calling in life is to provide an income for others. Some people are called to be apostles or to serve God all of their days, and I often wondered if I would be, but at this point I believe that my service to God's work is to help them put food on their table and a roof over their head." He didn't accept no for an answer and often said, "I can do hard things." His problem-solving skills extended beyond business endeavors-he fixed everyone's problems, and we will deeply miss being able to ask for his advice.

Brian had a need for speed. As a child, friends called him "AJ" after a famous race car driver because he spent a lot of time racing and was very good at it. He enjoyed cars, motorcycles, and boating at Lake Powell with his family. His children are still slightly bitter that he could easily out-water-ski them (even slalom skiing in his sixties).

He was a true Renaissance man. He could build anything, fix anything, and hold a conversation on any subject. We were constantly in awe of (and still confused by) the sheer amount of random knowledge he had.

Brian crammed more life into his 62 years than most people could in 100, but it still wasn't enough for us. We will deeply miss him for the rest of our lives. We are confident he was enthusiastically greeted by his mother and father, oldest brother, and his beloved smiling English Springer Spaniel, Ranger.

Brian is survived by his loving wife (Linda Andersen), four children: Kaylee (Jonathan) Coles, Jared (Mikaila) Andersen, Kristen Andersen, Rachael (Trevon) Spencer, six adoring grandchildren, four siblings: Kim (Mac) Chesley, Karen (Dave) Cowley, Scott (Marian) Andersen, and David (Jeana) Andersen.

A viewing will be held Friday, March 21 from 6-8 PM at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home (1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan). Services will be the following day, March 22, with a viewing from 9:00-9:45 AM and funeral at 10 (11685 Kestrel Rise Road, South Jordan). Interment to follow at South Jordan Cemetery. Online condolences nmay be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.