Francis Anderson

Our loving father, grandfather, and friend, Francis Anderson passed away at his home on March 21, 2015. Born October 31, 1918 in Norfolk, Virginia to Edward Peter and Mary Agnes Lawler Anderson.  Married Marjorie Dean Martin on June 25th, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Graduated from West High School, 1936; Served an LDS Mission, 1941-1943; Joined the Navy (Navy Medical Core Staff), 1943-1945; Graduated from University of Utah, 1948; Retired at age 62, from Beneficial Life Insurance Company as Director of Communications (after 36 years), 1984; He later began a second career in Midway, Utah, as the "Executive Director of the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce". Fran (and Marge) became involved in "Swiss Days" and refurbishing the Town Hall. Fran played key roles in reorganizing Swiss Days, creating the "Bell Ringers", planning and building the Heber Valley Visitors Center; creating the Glockenspiel (located at the Visitors Center), and as Executive Director of the Chamber, played a key role in saving the "Heber Creeper Railroad". He served on the Olympic Committee for 5 years, also playing an essential role in securing the 2002 Olympic Cross Country and Biathlon Venue, and in creating "Soldier Hollow". He retired again on April 2nd, 2002, at age 84—after the Olympics had successfully concluded.

Our amazing father lived his 96 years, 4 months and 21 days of life, boldly. He invented and implemented a "Paperless Filing System" at Beneficial Life that changed, forever, the way things were archived. He changed communities leaving lasting legacies: Early on, he revitalized the little league football program in Salt Lake, naming it, the "Ute Football Conference", including a playbook, and the logo—still unchanged on their uniforms today. There are beautiful buildings serving Heber Valley, and cultural advancements because of his efforts. He loved his religion. He loved to serve, and did so, as a missionary, Elder's Quorum President (twice), Stake Missionary, Stake Mission: Ordained Provo Temple Worker, Midway Stake Financial Clerk, Secretary to High Priest Group Leader, and Home Teacher, throughout. He became caregiver to our mother, in her last years, showing through his actions, his love for her. He was always there for his children, serving them in many different ways. And in the end, he gave us all a gift~

He was courageous!

Survived by his Children Creighton, Stanford, Debra Castellano (Eugene), Jeffrey, Holly Thomas (John), Josie Groesbeck (Clay); 6 (Grandchildren); 10 (great-grandchildren), (Preceded by) Wife (Marjorie), Parents, Brother (Edward Peter), Sister (Eileen)

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday March 27, 2015 at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, where friends may visit with the family from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to services. Interment: Elysian Burial Gardens. On line memories and tributes can be posted for the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com