David Wayne Anderson

David Wayne Anderson was born on May 31, 1973, in Long Beach, California to Kenneth and Donna Anderson, the sixth of ten children. He passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from Ampullary Cancer at the age of 51.

David attended Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah. After graduating from high school, he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Taipei, Taiwan. His faith in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ was a cornerstone of his life, and he served others generously with his time, talents, and resources. Over the years he served as a primary teacher, Young Men’s advisor, Elders Quorum President, Bishopric Counselor, and most recently as Ward Temple and Family History Leader. He loved to attend the temple and felt great peace there during his 16-month cancer battle.

In 1998, David met his sweetheart and eternal companion, Jill. They were married for time and all eternity on November 24, 1998, in the Manti, Utah Temple. They built a beautiful family together, welcoming Benjamin, Madelyn, Erik, and Emily into their hearts and home. Their son-in-law, Colton, joined the family this year when he married Madelyn in August. David was pleased that Madelyn and Colton found each other, and he was so happy to be at their wedding.

David knew that his most important roles were husband and father. Each night, his family benefited from hearing his testimony and insights as they studied the scriptures together. He was a great teacher and used analogies to help his family understand gospel concepts. He always taught them with love, compassion, personal experiences, and testimony. He was close to the Spirit and followed the spiritual promptings he received, big or small. Most importantly, he nurtured a close relationship with his Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved them and expressed his love for them in his final messages to his family members. In his last conversations with his son, Erik, David reiterated how important his missionary work was and how proud he was of him and his faithful missionary service.

David had an inquisitive mind and was interested in business, economics, finance, and law. He completed his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Colorado – Boulder. He later graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with his J.D. and completed an additional master’s degree in Chinese law at Peking University in Beijing, China. He dedicated his career to helping the Chinese people with any legal issue, but especially with their immigration needs. He is beloved by many Chinese individuals living here in the United States as well as in China.

Blessed with an amazing sense of humor, David was able to make both English- and Chinese-speakers laugh. When Jill was expecting their fourth child in Beijing, he helped her at every prenatal visit, chatting and joking with the doctors and nurses and making Jill feel comfortable and safe while so far away from home. Their daughter, Emily, was born in China on his birthday, and he always told her that she was the best birthday present he ever received.

David made friends everywhere he went, and his children often joked about how their dad was still socializing while they sat in the car waiting after Sunday church services. David shared his love of nature with his children, taking them camping, hiking, fishing, and to watch the falcons and hawks each year at the Utah Sky Trials. He also shared his love of BYU sports (especially football) with his children. He and his son, Benjamin, watched every game together and attended one game each year in person. David taught Ben (with some success) how to accept a BYU loss without anger, always looking forward to the next game or season.

David is survived by his wife, Jill Anderson; his children, Benjamin, Madelyn (Colton) Meteer, Erik, and Emily; his parents, Kenneth and Donna Anderson; his mother-in-law, Pamela Portie; his siblings, Todd (Becky) Anderson, Melinda (Oliver) Birth, Brad (Teresa) Anderson, Julie Anderson, Kim (Mike) Beckstrand, Sara (Jim) Malstrom, Nicole Mooney, Daniel (Niki) Anderson, and Michael (Nora) Anderson; and his siblings-in-law, Aimee (Bryan) Patterson, Ben (Christy) Portie, Katina (Nate) Roberts, and Jon Portie. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

An open house visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home in Lakeway (411 RR 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734). His funeral will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Bee Cave Chapel (12001 RM-2244 Austin, TX 78738). He will be buried on October 29, 2024, at Orem Cemetery in Orem, Utah with a graveside service at 12:00 noon.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for all of the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who cared for David over the last 16 months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in David's memory may be made to David Wayne Anderson Memorial Fund, https://gofund.me/446759ff