John Gardner Andersen, age 88, passed away on September 23, 2021, in Payson, Utah. John was born in Springville, Utah, on March 29, 1933, to Duncan Gardner Andersen and Mary Leona Schofield Andersen. He was the youngest of four children and graduated from Springville High School in 1951. During his senior year, he studied carpentry at the Vo-Tech. From 1953 to 1955, John served our country in the United States Army.
John married his sweetheart, Jerrline Mary Mattson, on May 27, 1962, in Ely, Nevada. They raised six wonderful children. On June 16, 1990, he and Jerrline were sealed for time and eternity in the Manti Temple. They both shared their dedication and commitment to the church and their desire to follow the teachings of the gospel. John was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a High Priest.
John was an adoring father. He provided well for his family and was a valued member of the Teamsters Union. Over the years, he was employed as a truck driver for Thorns Transportation, and worked at WW Clyde, was a heavy civil contractor for infrastructure projects, and Newmont Gold in Nevada.
He loved adventure and the great outdoors and enjoyed carving wood, four wheeling, polishing rocks he found in nature, and the Utah Jazz. There was no other place he would rather be than fishing and hunting with family. Among his talents, John played guitar and sang in a band.
John is survived by children: Gary (Lori) Laird, Highland, Utah; Linda (Brent) Norton, Santaquin, Utah; Ronnie (Janine) Andersen, Mapleton, Utah; Sherrie (Sam) Hicks, Spanish Fork, Utah; and 36 grandchildren and 72 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Duncan and Mary; wife, Jerrline; sons, James Melvin Laird and Randy Kay Laird; daughter-in-law, Christine Lee Andersen; a grandson, Travis John Norton; and siblings: Duncan Andersen Jr., Charlotte Edna Van Leuven, and Vera West.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Payson 1st Ward Church Building, 225 South 400 East, Payson, Utah 84651. A visitation will be held on Tuesday , September 28, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah 84651. Another viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, at the church, prior to the service. Interment will be in the Payson City Cemetery.
3 Condolences for John Gardner Andersen
Condolences(3)
Jennifer Andersen says
September 25, 2021 at 6:09 pmRIP Uncle John. What an amazing, lovable, fantastic and funny person who will leave a hole in our hearts! I would have given anything to have been able to fly over and see you and hug you one last time!! You will be forever in my heart! Thinking of all the family at this time and sending all my love and prayers! Look over the family! We love you so much and You will be missed so much!!
Margaret/Barry Andersen says
September 26, 2021 at 8:16 pmSending our deep sympathy and love to the Andersen/Laird family at the loss of John. From Barry I will miss you uncle John more than you know and from Margaret I will always remember you as the true cool dude gentleman you were who showed us nothing but love and kindness and will never forget your wit and gun loving nature. We feel the whole family’s pain from this side of the ocean and we are sending love and big hugs from the whole Andersen family in Ireland. Rest in peace John. You will be deeply missed . Soar high you have earned your angel wings.
Margaret/Barry Andersen says
September 26, 2021 at 9:25 pmSincere apologies from Margaret Andersen for above condolence mis spelling. I will never forget John,s Fun loving ways and his wit. Sincere sympathy and love for all John’s family from Ireland