Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

George Washington Anderson

George Washington Anderson, 89, of Santaquin, UT, peacefully returned to our Heavenly Father at his home on Easter morning, Sunday April 21, 2019.

George was fond of saying, when asked when he was born (February 10,1930) that “all I remember is me and Grandma was the only ones home ‘cause mom was at a Relief Society Meeting!”.

George was born in Caryville, Campbell County, TN to Melvina Byrge Anderson and Mart Anderson. He was a curious, mischievous youngster who had an 8th grade education, but his mind was always thinking of mechanical and engineering things which got him in trouble when some of his experiments went awry! 

As a young man he cut right of ways for the T.V.A. where he had many adventures. He married Madeline Masingel in TN. They had three children together -Carol, Kathy, and Larry. They moved to Ohio where he worked for Campbell Soup Co. Eventually they made their way west to Ogden, UT. George was not afraid of honest, humble hard work which he did to provide for his family. They moved to Magna, and then were later divorced. 

George worked at the Lark Mine before starting with Meadow Gold Dairy in Salt Lake City. He was a maintenance mechanic for 28 years, and retired in 1988. After retiring, he worked at odd jobs to fill in his time and harass those around him.

He then married a widow with six children, where he was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and was baptized. He was a Scout Master for about 15 years. Joyce and George also later divorced.

On August 18, 1977 he married Juanita Bentley. On the same date in 1979, they were sealed in the Manti Temple. In August of 1980 the joy of his life, Jorjette, was born. He was also a Scout and Cub Master at their ward in Sandy, UT.

George was eventually led to Santaquin, UT, where he lived for 27 years. George was a Sunday School Class President for a few years and was known for always telling a joke before the prayer. He also served as the PM man. He was responsible for checking the church every night to be sure it was secured, and locked the Stake President in the building many times! George was Ward and Stake Sunday School President for a few years. 

George is survived by his wife Juanita, daughter Jorjette, brothers Murel McCloud of Riverside, CA, and Thurman (Lil) McCloud of Springville, UT, and stepson Jon Cromar, of TX. He is also survived by sisters Marie of Provo Utah, Noma Lee of CA, sisters-in-law Jolene Safley of Price UT, Jeannette (Alan) Tweddell of Hotchkiss, CO, brothers-in- law Charles Bentley (Jenine) of Elmo, UT, and Danny Bentley (Glenice) Vernal, UT. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Maynard and Robert, and sister Liza Jane, all of TN; sister Bea , Brother Hollis “Mac” McCloud of Perris, CA, brothers-in-law Clinton and Clemont Bentley of Price, UT, and nephews Tom and Bryon McCloud of Santaquin. 

Visitations were held Thursday, April 25, 2019 and on Friday, April 26, prior to the funeral. All services were held at the Santaquin East Stake Center building at 548 S. 400 E. He was buried at the Santaquin Cemetery following the funeral. 

We want to express our gratitude to all who have attended George the past 14 months at Advanced Health Care of Salem and Aspen Ridge Home Health and Hospice. Thanks is not enough for them and all those friends and family who have visited, called, and prayed for him. 

Thank you to Ryan and Jennifer Carter for documenting and preserving our memories. The goodbye won’t end today, because we will always be able to look back at his celebration of life. Also, Pat Kelley at Tischner Ford for his last minute repairs to “the Rebel”, George’s beloved 1977 Ford Ranger. George would not be able to take his last ride in the Reb the way he would have wanted to without Pat’s help. His kindness to the family is immensely appreciated. 

Legacy Funerals and Cremations at 3595 North Main Spanish Fork, UT attended to George.