Ernest Ardell Anderson

Ernest Ardell (Jiggs) Anderson passed away Sunday May 29, 2011.
He was born February 11, 1926 in Bear River City, Utah to Ernest Nephi and Ivy Mathias Anderson. He graduated from Box Elder High School and joined the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1943. They sent him to college at the University of New Mexico for officer training. From there he went to the College of Pacific in Stockton, California where he was able to play football under Amos Alonzo Stagg. He was eventually sent to the Great Lakes Naval Station. He then served aboard the DE193, the USS Farquhar; a Destroyer Escort which patrolled the North Atlantic hunting enemy submarines. After the war in Europe ended, they were sent via the Panama Canal to the Pacific theater. He was at Pearl Harbor when the war ended.
On November 21, 1946, he married Jenae Marble. Together they had four children: JeNean Anderson Carver, Kim Marble Anderson, Naomi Lin Anderson Moss (Dan) and Kyle C. Anderson (Carol Flowers). Later divorced.
He married Jean Stephens Pitcher in August of 1975. Together, they helped raise two of Jean's grandchildren, Ron and Nina Pitcher, after their dad died in a car accident.
Ernie's working career included working at Chevron stations and driving tankers for Standard Oil. He later got his plumbing license, and then went to work as a mechanic at Ft. Douglas. While there, he taught himself how to fix office equipment. He became the repairman for all the Reserve offices in Utah, Idaho and Montana, receiving several citations for saving the government money. He retired from Ft. Douglas in 1986.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and worked with the Boy Scouts while his kids were growing up.
He was a charter member of the Centerville Jaycees which was instrumental in building Centerville's first city park (now Founder's Park). He was also an avid bowler and baseball player.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, his four children and her four surviving children: Jeanette, Danny, Linda and Karlee. Together they have 24 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, DeNece Pierson Barker and Jean Anderson Facer and brother, Bob (Reva) Anderson. Preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Donald and Byron Anderson, and brothers-in-law Don Barker, Max Facer, Clifford and W. Dawson Stephens.
A viewing will be held at the Centerville 1st Ward from 10am-12pm on Wednesday, June 1st, at 160 S. 300 E., Centerville, followed by a graveside service at the Bear River City cemetery at 2pm (5600 N. 4700 W.)