Arthur Gerald Anderson

Arthur Gerald Anderson was born in Tacoma, Washington on July 11, 1922 to Arthur Gustav Anderson and Joyce (Pirret) Anderson. He passed away at his home on April 8, 2012. Arthur attended Stadium High School in Tacoma where he played football. He also attended the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington. He was a member of the Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Arthur was a pilot in the European theater. flying missions over Germany in a B24 bomber aircraft. During a furlough in New York City he met his future wife, Jean Miller. They were married on August 15, 1945 as Japan surrendered and the war ended.

After the war, Arthur and Jean and his parents bought 80 acres on Patterson Lake in Lacey, Washington. They built a sawmill and milled their own lumber to create a dance hall, cabins, furniture, rowboats, and picnic shelters. Shady Wood Park was born. Art's parents managed the resort while he and Jean started their family and worked in Tacoma. Stephanie was born in 1946. Susan in 1949 and David in 1956.

The family moved to Yakima in 1956. Arthur founded the Yakima and Spokane branch office operations for Burkhart Dental Supply, directing business activity in Central and Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Western Montana and North Eastern Oregon. He retired in ]984 after 33 rewarding years with the company.

Arthur was an accomplished athlete and loved tennis, skiing, water skiing, and swimming. He enjoyed boating with friends and family in the San Juan Islands, skiing at White Pass and Sun Valley, salmon fishing at Ilwaco and Westport and Fall hunting expeditions.

After Jean's death in 1985, Art's good friend, Jack, introduced him to his sister, Jane Butler. Art and Jane were married in January of 1986, and a second loving chapter of Art's life began. Jane and Art had 26 wonderful years together. boating, golfing, wintering in Sun Valley, and traveling the country in their RV. They enjoyed the fellowship of the Yakima Country Club and First Presbyterian Church. The many family celebrations with Arthur and Jane's blended families were Arthur's greatest joy.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Connie Anderson, and his first wife Jean. He is survived by his beloved wife Jane, daughters Stephanie (Sid) Morrell, Susan (John) Eakin, and son David (Linda) Anderson, 3 grandchildren, Matt and Aaron Eakin and Laura Anderson and great-granddaughter Ella Eakin. He is also survived by his step-daughters, who were very special to him, Susan (Will) Hillyard, and Shea Butler.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Private interment will be at West Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Arthur Anderson may be made to the Union Gospel Mission in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home. To celebrate the life of Arthur Anderson and to share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.