Phillip Dale Anderson

Phil Anderson, 90, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, in Orem, Utah, from the effects of age. He was born February 11, 1935, in Lehi, Utah, to Hyrum Dale and Agnes Arletta Phillips Anderson.

Dad grew up in the Rose Park area of Salt Lake City, the oldest of four. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Lorraine and Rosalie, and his brother Neil.

He graduated from West High School in 1953, where his greatest interests were in his auto shop and welding classes, and one English class where they could do crossword puzzles. He worked washing dishes at Walgreens downtown, and was also trained to be a fry cook and to serve customers with malts and shakes.

He served a mission in Denmark from 1955-57; it had never occurred to him growing up that he’d go elsewhere. Two generations of Andersons had served there before him, and when he was interviewed, the General Authority asked where he might like to go. He explained his family’s past and said he’d also like to go to Denmark. After pausing, the General Authority said he thought that could be arranged. Dad remained connected throughout his life with his mission companions, friends, and relatives.

After his mission, he became better acquainted with the Madsens, who were friends because both the families’ fathers had served together in Denmark. Dad was interested in one of their daughters, Doris Gail, whom he fortunately ran into at the employment office and thought quickly enough to ask her on a date. She later followed him to the University of Utah to continue courting, and the two married in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 1, 1960.

In June 1962, Dad graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in German Studies. A mentor suggested he consider teaching, and he felt blessed to join the Church Education System as a seminary teacher, and later as an institute director and part-time faculty member in the Religion Department at BYU.

For four years, Dad served as the director of the Long Beach Institute of Religion in California. Each summer, the family returned to Utah for him to take classes to earn a master’s degree in family relationships, and an eventual doctoral degree in educational psychology, child development, and family relationships.

Moving from California, Dad and Mom felt blessed to find a home in Orem, Utah. Dad taught seminary at Orem High, worked as an adjunct professor at BYU, worked for a period of time at Larkin Sunset Gardens, and eventually worked with the Alpine School District where he retired as a child psychologist. While in retirement, Dad and Mom moved to Lehi and enjoyed many years there until Mom suffered a stroke in 2021.

Dad and Mom loved ballroom dancing and were also blessed to travel together to many places around the world. Trips to Israel, Italy, Taiwan, and Korea were highlights, among other visits to Europe, North America, and the Pacific.

Dad served in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a bishop and high councilor. He was a family history service missionary, and served with Mom in the Missionary Training Center and at the Mt. Timpanogos Utah Temple. They felt very fortunate to be called as full-time missionaries in Honolulu, Hawaii, helping to direct the Institute Program on the islands. He was also a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers.

In the last four years, Dad helped care for Mom when they moved to an assisted living facility in Orem. After her passing in October 2024, Dad’s health declined and he spent his last months with his son’s family in Orem. We express a special thanks to his hospice team who helped support us and cared for him so well. We’re also so grateful he’s at peace and enjoying a reunion with his wife Gail, daughter Lynnell, and his parents and siblings, who all have preceded him in death.

He is survived by three children, CoriDawn (John) Alley, Blaine Anderson, (Darin Wright), and Brian (Ipo) Anderson; 17 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Services include a viewing from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 16, 2025, and the 2 p.m. funeral that day at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, Utah, 84092. Interment will be there as well, following the services.