Justin Jean Anderson

Justin Jean Anderson passed away peacefully at his home on July 17, 2017. He was born August 2, 1936, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Justin Charles and Alice McIntyre Anderson. He was the fourth of six children.

Most of his primary education was in Ammon, Idaho. He attended High School in Shelley, Idaho where he met his high school sweetheart Doris Janet Wilson. She is the daughter of William O. and Myrtle Stoddard Wilson. They were married December 22, 1955 in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Justin is the father of four children, three sons and one daughter, Thayne J, Michael Justin (deceased), Bruce William, and Audrey Ellen. He is a grandfather and great grandfather.

He lived by a creed, ‘Don’t Quit’ when times get tough. His father would say, “You can’t win when you get knocked down if you don’t get back up.”

Justin and Doris spent their first years in the agricultural business where he attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. They later moved to Logan, Utah where Justin attended Utah State University. They often made the comment of how blessed they were to live in Cache Valley.

During this time Justin applied to the State of Utah to become Utah Highway Patrol Trooper. He was accepted, and started his UHP career at the Echo Port of Entry near Echo, Utah. He was later assigned to northern Utah in Cache County where they made their home. Justin remarked that it was a ‘life changing’ experience.

He was a Real Estate Broker for many years and founded Gold Key Realty. He was also a partner in a family owned manufacturing business.

Justin was a member of the Cache County School Board for sixteen years. He also became involved in politics and served on many political committees on the local and state level.

Later in his retirement, he loved working as a temple officiator in the Logan LDS Temple until he was released for health reasons. His testimony was strengthened by this service.

He served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Home Teacher, Elders Quorum President, Bishop, High Councilor, and Counselor in the USU 3rd Stake Presidency. Justin often told us that he was born with a testimony of the Gospel. He was a man of principles and tried to honor them throughout his life.

You could always find Justin with a camera in his hand recording special events, especially of his family. He enjoyed having horses and animals to care for and his garden was a place he could work, reminding him of his earlier roots.

Anyone who knew Justin knew he had to have a project going at all times. It would start with a simple idea and it would grow from there. While making their home in Mendon, Justin helped with the creation of the ball diamond where people from all over the valley still come on warm summer nights to play in the leagues. The community recently honored him for his vision and service. He and Doris were to be the Grand Marshal’s for the community parade this year to recognize him for starting the time honored 24th of July tradition in Mendon. He was excited and so wanted to be there. He was honored posthumously as the Grand Marshal.

After losing a son at an early age, Justin became aware of so many others in the community with similar losses and wanted to find a way to remember them and those who pioneered Mendon. He envisioned a peaceful place where people could go and reflect. The result brought the community to action to create a beautiful park on a vacant lot below the cemetery. He loved the people of Mendon, the place he called home.

He is survived by his wife Doris, sons Thayne (Susan), Bruce (Elizabeth) and his daughter Audrey, 11 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren, brothers Kenneth, Delmar (Myrna), Vaughan and his sister Gloria Haws (Larry). He was preceded in death by his son Michael, his brother Dwayne, and his parents.

Friends and family can celebrate his life at the Allen Hall Mortuary Tuesday, July 25, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and from 9:30 – 10:30 on the morning of July 26 at the Mendon Stake Center followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Mendon Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the many wonderful friends and neighbors who have taken the time to visit and offer acts of kindness as well as the doctors and nurses who worked tirelessly to make him comfortable.