Jim Anderson

James Wesley Anderson passed away peacefully on September 16, 2020 and returned to the arms of his loving Father in Heaven and his parents who he missed dearly.

Jim was born November 23, 1947 to incredible parents Wesley Vernon Anderson and Helen Brown Anderson.

Jim started his bucket list at an early age.  He and his first best friend, his sister Linda, played Cowboys and Indians and being the good sport he was, he also played dress-up.  They roamed the Anderson Farm.  As he got older, he and Linda would help his dad on the farm by tying the bales of hay together on the back of the baler.  Later he learned to be a mechanic as he worked along side of his best friend, his dad.   Jim spent many summer hours working for farmers hauling hay.

Jim was excited to go to school and enjoyed learning.  Jim had many friends during his school years.  He loved playing football and being on the wrestling team.  His senior year he played the role of “Big Jule” in the production of Guys and Dolls.  This name stuck with him the rest of his life.

During his last years in high school Jim continued the knowledge he gained from his dad in mechanics by working for Lyle Tucker at Tuckers Service.  Jim and Lyle became incredibly good friends as he worked there through his college years and into his marriage.

After graduating from high school in 1966, Jim started his College years at Weber State College.  He chose to pursue the field of Electronics.  Again, he gained many new friends.

On August 9, 1968 Jim married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Barnes.  They built a life together and chose to keep Morgan as their home.  Jim became a proud dad in 1974 when they had their first baby, a daughter, Leslie.   Then in 1977 he got his son, Doug.  He enjoyed his kids and loved everything about being a dad except discipline.  Knowing the value of discipline, he followed through and taught his kids with love and tears including a firm hand.  They grew up knowing they could not disappoint their dad.   Jim and Gloria were married for 53 years.

Jim continued his career in mechanics and worked for a private contractor, B&T repairing ground power equipment for the Air Force.  Jim worked as their electronic hydraulic specialist.  It was a good experience, but Jim knew he wanted to have a career in the Electronics field he studied in College.  He had an interview with McKay Dee Hospital coming up and we waited to see if that was a good fit.  Jim was excited when he got the call that they wanted him to start.  Jim started in October 1972 working as a cardiopulmonary technician.  His first day on the job he started in the lab as they worked on a heart patient.  He gained experience in the medical field as he learned to fill the gap between medicine and electronics.  He was the electronic technician when the first nuclear pacemaker was installed at the McKay Dee Hospital.  During this time, he was on the “Code 66 Team”.   He learned to do CPR, use the defibrillator and gave medications under the directions of a physician.  Jim then had the opportunity to change directions and work totally on hospital equipment.  He started working in the Clinical Engineering department maintaining equipment in ICU, CCU and Delivery. Jim also spent time working on equipment in smaller hospitals in Wyoming and Idaho.   Later he became the Director of Clinical Engineering.  In 1991 Jim had the opportunity of going to Armenia to deliver medical equipment.  He came home with a renewed love of our country and the medical care we receive.  While he was over Clinical Engineering, he helped with the building of the new McKay Dee Hospital.  In his time working at the hospital he saw a multitude of changes in our health care.   Jim retired in 2008 having 36 years of service.

His life was not all work.  He loved spending time outdoors snowmobiling, riding ATV’s and spending time at the cabin with his many friends and family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Gloria and his children Leslie & Travis Hyde and Doug & Traci Anderson.  His favorite 5 grandchildren, Colton, Aubree, Madisen, Brisen and Emersen.  He is also survived by his brother Frank (Lois) Anderson and his sister Marilyn Lofgreen.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Linda Lewis and his brother-in-law John Carr Lofgreen.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 21, 2020 at 11:00am at the Milton Church 1255 North Morgan Valley Drive.  The viewing will be held Sunday, September 20, 2020 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the Walker Mortuary and Monday at the church from 9:30am-10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, go for a snowmobile ride.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Encompass Health and Corey Blonquist for the loving care they showed Jim.