Lanford Anderson

Lanford (Lanny) Anderson passed away at his daughter’s home in Logan, Utah, on April 18, 2025.  Lanny, the eighth of ten children, was born at home in a two-room log cabin on August 4, 1938, to Francis Alma Anderson and Mary Marie Jakeman in Rigby, Idaho. While growing up, he played sports, especially baseball, and while he “wasn’t the best on the field, he could hold his own.”  In the sixth grade, he became interested in music while listening to Tommy Dorsey on the radio.  For the next six years Lanny played the trombone and “lettered” in music while in high school. 

He met Judith L. Evans in the fall of 1955, and they “courted” while both were still in high school.  Lanny graduated from Pocatello High School in 1956.  Although they were told they were “too young,” Lanny and Judy were married in Pocatello, Idaho, on November 1, 1956.  They were sealed for time and all eternity on January 15, 1964, in the Idaho Falls Temple.  He continued attending the temple and served as a temple worker at the Boise Temple for many years.  Lanny and Judy also were called as service missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years at Pinetop outside Idaho City.

            They purchased their first home in 1961, and while living in Pocatello, they had four children: LaMont, Richard, Tracy, and Peggy.  Lanny served nine years in the National Guard, was a “team chief,” and reached the rank of staff sergeant.  He worked at the United States Post Office, starting as a mail sorter at night and then moving up to a clerk.  In 1976, he was promoted to postmaster in Weston, Idaho.  He was promoted two more times, once to Driggs, Idaho, in 1986, and finally to Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, in 1992.  He retired from the postal service on January 1, 2003, after 45 years of service. 

            Lanny enjoyed going camping with his family, boating, and fishing.  He officiated church and high school sports for many years, including football, basketball, and baseball.  He loved square dancing with his loving wife, who passed in August 2022.  They were married for over 65 years.  After her passing, he was very lonely but loved being with family.  He was able to attend two grandchildren’s temple weddings in the three weeks prior to his passing, and was still dancing with daughters and granddaughters.  In his partial life history, Lanny wrote, “I love my family, this includes you kids but I especially love my wife, Judy.  She has been and stood by me for a long time.”

            Lanny was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Gerald, Darville, Leslie, Levoy, and Henry; sisters Marcella, Orretta, and Jennie, granddaughter Ashley Anderson, and his loving wife, Judy.  He is survived by his four children and their spouses: LaMont and Teresa Anderson, Richard and Karen Anderson, Tracy and Troy Johnson, and Peggy and Roger Kearsley; 18 grandchildren and their spouses: Natalie (Jared) Adams, Nicholas (Megan) Anderson, Amy (Trevor) Larson, Anthony Johnson, Kelli (Craig) Decker, Mathew (Megan) Johnson, Ryan Anderson, Kyle (Jessica) Anderson, Kirsten (Beau) Morley, Sean (Emily) Anderson, Brianna (Quinton) Hall, Brittney (Brady) Hansen, Alyssa (Stanley) Ogden, Sarah (Alex) Wardle, Jacob (Cassandra) Kearsley, Tyler Kearsley, Darin Johnson, and Kory Kearsley; 19 great grandchildren; and his brother Rawleigh.        

            A viewing will be held Monday, April 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 11443 McMillian Rd., Boise, Idaho. Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Dry Creek Cemetery, Boise, Idaho.  Services can also be viewed on https://zoom.us/j/92600469356