Jerry Gale Anderson

Jerry Gale was born February 9,1938 to Ervin (Shady) Anderson and Garnet Blanch Sweet in Declo, Idaho. Gale was the youngest of their two boys. John Riley (J. R.) was their oldest son.

He grew up in Declo, Idaho. While attending Declo High, he met Marla May Asher from Albion, ID. He played football, basketball and track. Gale fell in love with Marla in high school, she was a cheerleader and they served together in many organizations throughout High School. Gale graduated Salutatorian on the basis of high-grade average throughout his high school years. He was given an assignment to attend the Naval Academy.

Gale and Marla married June 7th 1957. They moved to Pocatello, Idaho where Gale attended Idaho State University. He played football for Idaho State University Bengals. He graduated with BS in Math and a Master's Degree in Physical Education.

They had 3 children Gail, Alan, and Thane.

Gale, was a hard worker while raising his family. He taught school, and coached at Irving JR High then transferred to Franklin Jr High School while raising their family in Pocatello. He taught Mathematics, health, and Physical education. In those days he was able to coach football, basketball, wrestling and track, then taught drivers ed in the summer time. When he could he would go home to help his step-father or his father-in-law do farm work to earn extra money. There were some summers he would travel to Missoula, MT and work in the sawmill there with his father.

Gale was always a good athlete himself. He would play on city league basketball teams. He was the shortest and the fastest on the team. It often times seemed that he could run in between the other players legs, the other men were so tall. There often were disputes about who would get Gale Anderson on their team.

Gale was an avid hunter and fisherman, which lead them to move to Salmon, ID in 1973. He started teaching at Brooklyn and coached sports also. He later moved up to the High school level to teach. He continued teaching kids to drive in Salmon. He had a love to help others learn and grow and succeed. He worked other jobs such as logging and working for Dahle's for a time, even owning and running the Drive in Theatre. Always a hard worker. Then in his down time he would go camping, hunting, fishing, or getting wood for the winter.

This became a wonderful time in his life for him and his two sons, Alan and Thane, and later his grandson, Mark to do many outdoor things together. They enjoyed softball each summer playing and traveling to tournaments to compete. It was such a great opportunity to teach his boys and grandson his talents and later for Gale to learn from the younger generations. Salmon valley was a perfect fit for his love of the outdoors.

Marla went hunting and fishing with him often. She said, "He would tell me, see that peak? We just have to get there, then he repeated what he had told her before about 7 more times. She said I do not think we ever reached the peak they just kept coming. She said I thought I was going to die." Another time Marla said, "Gale used to like me to go fishing with him until I started out fishing him." They both loved spending time together including a little competition going on between them.

Gale and Marla loved to travel but Gale was always glad to come back to his own home and familiar surroundings and family. Gale and Marla both loved to bowl. They became quite the dedicated bowlers. They enjoyed their weekly team play as well as the challenge of tournaments. After Marla, passed away in 2015, Gale continued to bowl until his knee would no longer allow him physically to participate.

Gale had a special talent of writing poems. After he was asked, he went right to work. One of his students commented on how special that was that he was able to write a poem, and personalize it for each team member.

Gale, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in August, 2025. Though he was determined to beat the cancer it was too aggressive. Gale, our father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and friend, lost the battle on March 26, 2026, at the Meadows Assisted Living Center. We love him and will always cherish the precious moments and memories of him. Until we meet again, you will be missed and are so loved.

Gale is survived by his three children Gail (Larry) Peterson of Kuna, ID, Alan (Polly) of Salmon, ID, and Thane Anderson of Salmon, ID, eight grandchildren, Mark Anderson of Salmon, ID, Roni Buster of Spring Creek, NV, Rachelle (Mark) Feith of Kuna, ID, Michelle (Josh) Palmer of Calhan, CO, Melissa (Korie) Watson of Kuna, ID, Paula (Jesse) Nelson of Salem, UT, Bobbie Jo (Benjamin) Searle of Kuna, ID, Trista Eastman of Salmon, ID, and 26 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and his beloved wife, Marla.

Funeral services for Gale Anderson, will be held on April 11th, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salmon Stake center on Daisy Street at 10 AM. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Jones and Casey Funeral Home.