Jimmy L. Anderson

Jimmy Lloyd Anderson died August 4, 2018 at his home in Moscow, Idaho, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 1, 1927 in Rigby, Idaho to his single mother, Belvia Marie McCollough.

He attended school in Rigby, Idaho from first through fourth grade. He then moved to Los Angeles, California with his mother. In 1939 his mother married Virgil Anderson, who then adopted Jim. Jim played basketball all through high school. He graduated from high school in Los Angeles, California.

Jim joined the United States Army in 1945. He was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division and sent to Sendai, Japan as a medic. Jim was paratrooper and was discharged at Seattle, Washington in 1948.

After his discharge Jim returned to Rigby, Idaho to see his beloved grandparents. There he met the love of his life, Marian Gean Hillman. They were married on August 26, 1949 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He was recalled for active duty during the Korean War, being assigned to Fort Ord in California where Jim played baseball and basketball, and Marian worked in a department store. Following his discharge, they moved to Wilderville, Oregon where Jim helped his parents build a house on their dairy farm. In the early 1960’s the family, now with three children, Eddy, Lorie and Alyson, moved to Wenatchee, Washington.

In 1969 they moved to Moscow where Jim was general manager for Tri-State Outfitters, in a position he held until purchasing the Subaru dealership, Ambassador Auto. He, along with partner Phil Mack, operated the dealership until Jim’s retirement in 1995.

Jim became an active and productive member of whatever community he lived. Since coming to Moscow, Jim joined the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Calam Shrine Temple. He served on the Moscow City Council, was chairman of the Republican Central Committee for eight years, a member of the Moscow Elks Lodge where he enjoyed golfing and served as chairman of the Elks Lodge Board of Trustees for several years. It was Jim’s passion to upgrade the sprinkler system for the Elks Golf Course, which he accomplished and the “Anderson Pond” is named for his work there. Jim and several friends founded Moscow Executive Association shortly after moving to Moscow and he was the last “charter member” – the club continues today with Thursday lunches at the University Inn.

While never attending the University of Idaho, his tireless work with the Vandal Boosters, serving on the board and ardent support, Jim was recognized and inducted into the Vandal Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jim was preceded in death by his son, Eddy in 1966 and his beloved Marian of over 60 years in 2010.

He is survived by his daughters, Lorie Anderson and Alyson (Kris) Fowler of Moscow. He also leaves his grandchildren, April and Joshua Morrow, Ely, Kaleb and Karian Fowler and Ian Smart and great grandchildren, Kayleigh, Jake and Antonio.

Jim will be laid to rest with Marian privately at the Moscow Cemetery.

There will be a celebration of his life at the University Inn - Best Western on Monday, August 13th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Jim established the Jim and Marian Anderson Athletic Scholarship Endowment at the University of Idaho. The family suggests memorials be made there. (University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Dr., MS 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143.)

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