Gregory Burton Anderson

Gregory Burton Anderson, 69, loving brother, uncle, and friend peacefully passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024, at home. Born October 16, 1954, in Murray, Utah to Boyd Downey & Alice Burton Anderson, grew up in West Jordan as the 3rd child of 10 kids. He purchased the home in Salt Lake City that his dad grew up in and was owned by his grandparents. He lived there for over 45 years and tended to the home with honor and respect to the memory of his family. He had a great love and dedication for his family and found joy in studying family history and sharing the stories with others.

Growing up, Greg was involved in church and community service activities including sports, plays, talent shows, and stake farms. He was also engaged in Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed camping, hiking, and earning merit badges. He was very proud of earning his Eagle Scout Rank and supported his family by participating in their Eagle Nests at their courts of honor. He was a natural athlete. He played Little League Baseball with his brother Scott and they were part of the first Little League Football team in West Jordan.

In his youth, Greg was actively engaged in the 4H program. He learned to sew, bake, cook, and a number of times he successfully raised beef for show and won awards in both the Salt Lake County and the Utah State Fairs. He participated in 4H service projects including staining the old city park rodeo fences when needed.

Greg was hardworking, meticulous, and took pride in his work. He was modest in accepting praise for his accomplishments. In his early years he learned and worked on his grandparent’s farm as well as in the family yard and gardens. He loved a homegrown tomato on a warm summer day. Some mornings he would accompany his dad and older siblings in delivering the newspaper before going to school. His first paid job was working at Shulsen’s Dairy in West Jordan in the mornings while in high school.

He attended Bingham High School in Copperton and graduated with the Class of 1973. He was proud to be a Miner and was known by many as “Big Andy.” During his sophomore, junior, and senior years at Bingham he was a member of the Men’s Association, played the French Horn in the school band and was in the pep band his sophomore year. He was involved with the BHS Alumni and made a number of donations over the years. In 2011 he donated two sections of train rail for the high school’s “Ore Cart” display in the lobby of the school.

Greg was very intelligent which, at times, made his school years boring for him because he already knew what the teacher was teaching. He enjoyed learning and understanding the world around him. As an avid reader he read whatever he could get his hands on including the dictionary. He poured over books about every topic and made the effort to research what was of interest. Puzzles were a favorite pastime for him. He kept detailed records of the puzzles he completed. Some of his favorite puzzles are hanging on his walls in wooden frames he made.

After high school he worked for Hi-Land Dairy in Murray for approximately 6 years. From September 1983-2001 he drove dump trucks and was a pipe layer while working for Noland & Son Construction. On January 4, 2001, he began his career with the UTA as a bus driver. While driving the bus he competed in the “UTA Bus Roadeo” for the “40-foot Fixed Route” competition and placed 2nd in October 2002 and 3rd in June 2003. On October 28, 2006, he transferred to the TRAX system as an engineer and drove the train. On January 14, 2008, he joined the FrontRunner team and in April 2008, when service began, he was one of the first twenty-five Locomotive FrontRunner Engineers – “We get trains moving.” This is where he found the career he truly loved. He enjoyed his days at work maneuvering the locomotive on the rails along the beautiful Wasatch Front. He retired from the UTA on October 9, 2015, to help take care of his elderly parents.

Greg had a natural talent for music. He taught himself how to play the guitar and piano as well as other instruments including the purchase of a set of bagpipes. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing and play his guitar for his family and anyone that would listen. A few of his most requested numbers were “Homegrown Tomatoes,” “Right Field,” and “Grandma’s Feather Bed,” and of course anything by the Beatles. In the eighties he made a recording of a number of his favorite songs. The cassette tapes he gave to family and friends were well listened to. He truly had a classic sound.

He enjoyed a number of hobbies including hiking, camping, time in the mountains and outdoors. As an avid hiker, he hiked Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range a number of times and made it all the way to the summit at an elevation of 11,260 feet. He loved adventures, especially by driving, whether in his car, 1979 Chevy 1500 pick-up truck, or beloved 1980 Honda Goldwing GL1100 motorcycle. He would go where the roads led him. He was a skilled carpenter in woodworking and carving. He made a beautiful bed for his parents, tables, hand carved signs, and repairs to his home. Painting and drawing were natural for Greg and he has many works of art hanging on his walls at home including a self-portrait.

Greg loved his savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful follower. He read and studied spiritual teachings. He provided service to many in need, with a big and compassionate heart. He loved his country and was a patriotic man. He was passionate about politics and loved conversations with many. He took great pride in standing up for what he believed.

Greg enjoyed sharing jokes, limericks, facts, and riddles. One of his favorites was learned from his dad, “Yesterday, upon the stair, I met a man that wasn’t there. He wasn’t there again today. Oh, I wish, I wish he’d go away.”

Preceded in death by his Dad, Mom, and sister Darci. Survived by his siblings: Boyd (Jann), Terry (Ray) Peterson, Scott (Connie), Rolayne (Bryan) Jewkes, Marla (Scott) Stephenson, Norman (Teresa), Darci – deceased (Darran) Taylor, Kirk (Trena), and Lisa (Chris) Oborn. 41 nephews and nieces: Scott, Niki, Jason, Marc, Julia, Rebekah, Brenton, Alisha, Brandon, Laura, Rachel, Christopher, Christine, Alan, Kevin, Tiffany, Rawlin, Douglas, Michelle, Reonia, Kyler, Michael, Denise, Paige, Amanda, Relissa, Michael, Jeffrey, Tammy, Shawn, Andrew, Natalie, Lance, Celene, Bridgit, Seth, Kody, Isaac, Sabrina, Abbie, and Christopher (26 spouses), 77 grandnephews and grandnieces (3 spouses), and 7 great-grandnephews and great-grand nieces.

Join Gregory’s family in celebrating his life at the Mountain Shadows 2nd Ward building 7925 S. 2700 W., West Jordan, Utah. Evening Visitation: Friday, July 5th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral Service: Saturday, July 6th, 11:00 a.m. with a visitation prior to the service from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Interment in the West Jordan City Cemetery 7800 S. 1300 W., West Jordan, Utah. Funeral directed by Larkin Mortuary, Salt Lake City.