Lennis Ray Anderson

West Valley City, Utah — Lennis returned to the God who gave him life on December 13, 2025, following a month-long illness that began with a septic UTI. He passed surrounded by his loving family.

He began life on this earth on the 24th of March 1939. Lennis was born in the home of his grandfather, Hugh Alexander Wright, in the same bedroom where his mother had been born. He was the son of Bertha Wright Anderson and Harold Marvin Anderson of Rexburg, Idaho. On November 16, 1962, Lennis married his college sweetheart, Myrna Kay Taylor, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they were blessed with six wonderful children.

Lennis began his schooling in McCammon, Idaho, where he attended first grade, and later graduated from Rigby High School in May 1958. He continued his education at Ricks College and Utah State University before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Weber State College. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Brigham Young University, attending night classes while living in West Valley City. Lennis devoted 35 years and three months of service to the State of Utah, working as a librarian from April 1966 until his retirement on July 15, 2001. Since retiring, Lennis spent countless hours reading, studying and marking numerous volumes of scriptures.

Over the years Lennis faithfully served in twelve different callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and completed four missions: the Central Atlantic States Mission from 1959 to 1961; an LDS Employment Office Mission; Ward and Stake missions; and a mission served alongside his sweetheart, Myrna, in the Little Rock Arkansas Mission from July 2006 to February 2008. He also served in the Jordan River Temple for over fifteen years.

Lennis proudly served his country, joining the 116th Engineers of the Idaho National Guard in 1957 and retiring in January 1986. His military service included ten years in the Army Reserves, ten years with the Navy Seabees, and eight years in the Air Force National Guard. While serving with the 116th Engineers, he competed in the National Rifle Contest at Camp Perry, Ohio, after earning a place on the Idaho team, finishing fifth out of ten members. He went on to place 265th out of 2,600 rifle team members nationwide, competing against both National Guard and full-time military professionals. During his military career, Lennis served as a cook, a role he loved, as no one dared to give the cook any trouble.

Lennis participated in football and baseball and had a lifelong love of fishing. He enjoyed watching The Price Is Right and keeping up with the news. Music was also a cherished part of his life. He loved singing in choirs throughout high school and college, as well as in community ones including the West Valley Chorale and Wasatch Singers, and for many years with the Swanee Singers until 2018. He also sang in church choirs wherever he lived.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Myrna Kay Anderson; five children, Paul Jay, Anjanette, Daren Dee, Nelisa, and Trevor Lee (Genel); three sisters, Frances McCarrel, Judith Mergenthaler, and Nova (Aaron) Harrop; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest son, ElRay Lennis.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to all who cared for him, especially his favorite nurse, Kristi.