On December 25, 2022, our beloved Papa, Dad, and husband David R. Anderson finished his work on the earth. Naturally curious, David’s life was filled with adventure from his childhood in eastern Oregon to a mission in New England to a career in the entertainment industry that took him from New York City to Los Angeles, finally landing in Salt Lake where he produced feature-length family films. David’s life read something like a film script.
Yet, through all the adventures, David was a builder. He built a 56-year marriage with his eternal companion “Bez.” He built 7 strong and loyal children whom he called his greatest accomplishment and a family that includes 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren whom he considered the best in the world. Marriage and family meant everything to David who was deeply committed to building a household of faith.
David’s professional career culminated in France where he and Beverly lived for 13 years, first as public affairs missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, then as Church employees, working to procure the ground and building permits for the Paris, France Temple. David offered his all to the Lord and marveled at how the Lord magnified his offering and weaved together all of his professional experience – from real estate development to film production to project management and more – to build the Kingdom of God in France, a culture and people he deeply loved.
At his core, David was a deeply committed saint. He remarked that “It is who I am.” He spent his time and talents doing what he believed God wanted him to do. He was a remarkable man who was preceded in death by his parents and sister Becky. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, his children: Erika (Alan) Boardman, Amy Anderson, Betsy (Stephen) Taylor, Dax (Stacy) Anderson, Luke (Lisa) Anderson, Anya Anderson, and Lincoln (Raelynn) Anderson, his sister, Cynthia Wellesley, and his brother Grady (Laurie) Sillings by whom he will be sorely missed. As children of the covenant, we look forward to our reunion where we all will rejoice together.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Cottonwood 7th Ward, 2522 East 6710 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, from the hours of 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah, and from 10:00 am to 10:45 am Saturday at the church prior to funeral services. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Chère Beverly, nous vous aimons et sommes tristes du départ précose de notre cher ami.
Nous te présentons nos sincères condoléances avec notre assurance qu'un jour nous serons de nouveau réunis.
David was a great man and will be remembered as a man devoted to his faith and family. His legacy lives on through his amazing children. Our thoughts are with your family as you navigate this celebration of a life well-lived.
My dear friend, collaborator and special mentor/advisor for over 30 years. We travelled the world making films and meeting so many different people. David was the anchor, the beacon to new discoveries.
With all my love to Beverly and their incredible family. Rest In Peace. I will always keep you close by.
Bill
What can I say more than my life has been changed since 1976 by his persistent bearing of his personal testimony in word and deed. Thanks to Bev for her support and additional example. We will love you both forever
He was a great man who will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are for your family at this difficult time.
The minute I met David (and Beverly), I just knew we were going to be friends. And that’s exactly what happened.
Friendship is a timeless feeling and I feel I have known him all my life.
David leaves in my heart so many good lasting memories: I remember our numerous moments of laughters and chuckles, our endless discussions on Gospel topics, our contests on famous movie’s lines (which he always won), our French lessons, our lazy Sunday afternoons watching videos after a delicious meal, our vacations in Brittany and in Italy, our singing sessions after working office hours (usually Johnny Cash and other oldies), his efforts to get me interested in basket-ball (he almost succeeded), him willing to help me direct my big movie production with my Primary kids, his wise advises on various topics, and I could go on and on…
He might have looked a little “tough” to someone who did not really know him.
How little did they know for he really had a “soft side”. For instance, in his office, he had a whole collection of plastic figurines like little animals, people and objects that he brought back from his numerous business trips. One day, there was a leak at the office building and at least 1 inch of water was flooding the carpet of his office. Well, without thinking twice, he knew exactly what to do: he grabbed his plastic ducks and put them on the carpet. At some point, some co-workers came to his office to check on the damages and when they saw the ducks happily floating on the water, they all burst into laughter; they had never imagined that David, a serious man and a professional businessman, could have this sense of humor and derision.
I will cherish these memories and many more in my heart forever.
I am thankful to have known him and to have been part of his life for a little while and I will always remember him until we meet again.
Brigitte
Dear Bev and Family, We were so saddened to learn of Dave's passing. We have so many fond memories of time spent with you and Dave and your family. One of our favorites is the time we all had our picture taken with matching sweatshirts in the Carnation wagon on Main Street at Disneyland. We loved the time we spent raising our families together in such a great neighborhood where your front lawn was always the playground. You and Dave have contributed so much to the goodness of this world and the building up of the Lord's Kingdom both here and throughout the world. We will always be grateful for your wonderful examples and the friendship that we hold so dear. We pray the Lord's blessings to be with you and your family during this difficult time.
I am so grateful that I was able to come with Brigitte to spend a few days with you and David last October. I had such a wonderful time! It was so fun visiting with him and getting to know him a little bit better. What a special man! No wonder Brigitte thought so much of him!
When she would tell me about your trips, dinners and fun time you were having together, I would get a little jealous, but so glad she had such wonderful friends to spend time with.
David, you will be greatly missed and Beverly, take care of yourself.
A bientôt mon ami!
Chantal
It is a great privilege to have known you and to have worked with you, enjoying our friendship. I will remember your dedication to the Lord’s work, your love of your family, good nature, sense of humor, fighting spirit and stamina for the Lord’s cause. Sail on, silver bird.
Dear family,
It was an honor and a privilege for us to know David. He was a kind and gentle man with a keen mind and multiple talents. We could easily see that he was a loving and devoted husband and family man. He contributed wonderfully and most of the time behind the scene to the building of temples in many locations and blessed many lives including ours. He will be remembered with fondness and gratitude. With our warmest and sincere condolences, LoLan and Olivier
Dear Beverly,
Wholeheartedly with you all in the emotions of David's passing beyond the veil and continuing in an unseen and real dimension. We remember fondly your loving interactions with us and have great respect and appreciation for who you both are and for your behind the curtains contribution to the Kingdom. As the hymn sweetly rings and sings into our ears and mind, God be with you (and with him) till we meet again. For now, Loving hug to you! May your children and grandchildren know of our deep gratitude for their contribution also in supporting your serving the Kingdom here.
Alain & Elisabeth
Beverly –
Thinking of you today as we start a new year, I wanted to share this with you and your family –
NEW YEARS REFLECTION AND PRAYER
As the old year ends and a new one begins, take time.
Time to remember the struggles you faced,
And the mistakes you might have made,
And the loved ones you lost.
Every year, you experience heartache.
This one was no different.
And in remembering, find a seed of hope hidden in yesterday.
Remember how you’ve been blessed.
Relive when you found unexpected strength.
Recall where you saw God’s great Spirit at work.
And know His mercy kept you going all this time.
Recognize His mercy. Ask for His peace.
The peace that pours out every moment of every day from the wounds of Christ.
Prepare us Lord for the New Year.
Lift us up and place in our hearts,
A renewed desire to know and worship you more.
Give us your abundant grace
Shower us with your healing love.
May your eternal Kingdom reign in our hearts and our lives.
May the New Year show us again your eternal mercy and glory.
And let us sing your praises with great joy.
In Jesus name, Amen.
I, too, will miss David and his unconquerable enthusiasm for life, his enduring optimism, and his uplifting spirit when in his presence. I am better today because of his influence in my life.
I send my love to you and your family,
Mike