Gary Anderson

Gary Lynn Anderson passed away while unconscious, peacefully on November 25, 2024 from a herniated subdural hematoma. He and his wife were visiting family in Oregon where he collapsed. He was eventually sent to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Bosie Idaho where he passed quietly and painlessly without ever regaining consciousness. He was 70 years old.
Gary was born to Robert Benjamin and Fern Thacker Anderson in Provo, UT. He grew up in Pleasant Grove as the third child in a family of six children. His green thumb started young when he was able to till the family garden. He also developed his mechanical side, helping his father keep the trucks running. He attended Central Elementary School, Pleasant Grove Junior and Senior High. He attended Brigham Young University and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He later earned a master's degree in digital signal processing from BYU.
He married Karen Dawn Sinclair on December 11, 1986, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had just shy of 38 wonderful years together. Although they had no children of their own, they delighted in their many nieces and nephews. Gary loved getting together with family, always happy to give "two arm squeezers," share a good-humored anecdote, and offer a listening ear, or wise counsel. Throughout the years, Gary took an active role in the planning and coordination of family activities, reunions, and trips. He always went the extra mile to add fun details such as creating special labels for "Butter Beer" and "Honeydukes" candy as well as making Official Owl Mail stamps for two family Harry Potter-themed parties.
Gary was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a full-time mission in New Zealand and loved sharing his experiences there. He was always willing to accept any calling. His technical and leadership skills were used in a variety of positions including Quorum leadership, Clerk, teacher, and Bishop. At his passing he had been serving for many years as Assistant Executive Secretary and Assistant Clerk for the stake, and then recently was called as ward Executive Secretary while maintaining his stake positions. He was very busy, but loved being of service.
For work, Gary loved solving technical and business problems in his wide area of expertise. His training prepared him to analyze and convert analog sound or radio signals into digital and computer-friendly formats such as CDs and MP3s. His career led him to manage complex technical implementations to make mechanical processes run more efficiently and run software engineering teams to deliver high-quality software. He did this professionally for over 45 years.
Gary's willingness to help others was legendary. Whenever he saw a need, he was right there to do whatever he could do to help, with a calm and gentle demeanor. He loved all his family and would do whatever he could to make life a little easier for them. He helped friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even his doctors. He was always conscientious and made sure whatever project or task he was working on was completed in the best way possible. He was a very generous person and freely used his resources, time, and effort to help wherever and however he could. He was happiest when he knew he had made a positive difference for someone.
Gary was a very positive person. Though he spent a lot of time in hospitals and doctor offices, he remained cheerful and positive no matter what he had to deal with. He survived cancer, overcame heart failure, underwent open heart surgery, and received an artificial heart valve. He did this with an upbeat outlook, even though the physical toll was high, treatments were difficult, and the recoveries were long. Although getting around became more difficult, Gary made opportunities to both spend time with friends and loved ones while taking care of walking Maia, his and Karen's beloved dog. This gave him extra opportunity to enjoy his brother Kent's company daily for the last few years.
He is survived by his loving wife Karen, older brother Kent Anderson, younger sisters Sandy Schut and Jenett Green. His parents, older brother Dale and youngest sister Nancy Anderson preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed by his family, including Maia, and by the many people whose lives he touched.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Geneva Heights Sixth Ward Chapel, 590 North 900 West, Orem, Utah where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:00 -10:45 am prior to the service. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Live stream of funeral available at www.olpinmortuary.com
Condolences may be sent to family at www.olpinmortuary.com.