Ray Anderson

Ray DeMill Anderson

Ray DeMill Anderson, 83, passed away on November 28, 2017 in New Braunfels, Texas after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Ray, or Papa as he was known to more than just his grandkids, was born on July 13, 1934 in Manti, Utah to Milton Rasmus Anderson and Dorthella (DeMill) Anderson, the second of their three children.

Ray joined the Civil Service at Hill Airforce Base in Ogden, Utah at 17 by lying about his age. He then joined the Army at 19. After completing basic training, Ray was sent to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas where he served as a Drill Instructor and met his feisty red-headed wife and love of his life, Beverly Ann (Jarvis) Anderson. They were married in Las Cruces, NM on May 4, 1956. Their 61-year marriage gave them 2 wonderful children, Donald and Linda. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they sealed their marriage for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple on their 43rd wedding anniversary, May 4, 1999.

After his stint in the Army was up, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah for a brief time before settling back in El Paso. In El Paso, Ray returned to Fort Bliss in the Civil Service and became a supervisor at the young age of 26 and worked with the Hawk Missile as a member of the U.S. Army Missile Command. He and Beverly lived in Germany on 3 separate occasions for Ray’s work with the Civil Service. They took advantage of their time there and traveled all over Europe. Ray was also sent to Korea, Crete, and Egypt before he retired at 55. His retirement wasn’t traditional though, because Ray could never sit still for more than a few minutes. In 1991, Ray and Bev purchased a mobile home park in Center Point, Texas. Ray took care of almost everything for the park and, with Beverly in charge of the finances, they turned it into a huge success. After selling the park in 2004, real retirement began when they built their dream home in Leeds, Utah in 2006. Their time in Leeds was full of RV trips, four wheeling adventures, and catching up with old friends. After 10 years in Utah, they returned to their Texas roots to be closer to their ever-expanding family.

Our Papa was such a blessing to everyone he met. He never turned down a chance to work and work hard. He constantly served those around him in his quiet way and was always looking for ways to make others burdens just a little lighter. Ray was rarely without his cowboy hat and boots, and in later years, his dashing suspenders! Ray loved guns, and as with everything he owned, he took great care of his impressive collection of them. He also always had an even more impressive collection of tools. He loved having land and a big garage to tinker with things. If there was something to be fixed, Ray did it himself and always did it right! His garage was one of his favorite places to be and he also loved cars, with a soft spot in his heart for convertibles. Ray and Bev were never without a pet, and somehow every dog they had, always became his shadow. As a grandpa to three girls, he was the best mix of rough & tough and soft & sweet. He was never one to shy away from having his hair done by little girls, but also was the king of giving tractor rides. Our Papa was one of a kind.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Beverly Anderson; son, Donald Anderson and wife, Kathy; daughter Linda Voyles and husband, LB; sister, Carma Sanders and husband, Rocky; granddaughters, Amber Stevenson and husband, Zachary, along with their 3 boys, Ashley Williamson and husband, Jeremy, along with their 4 children, and April Dickson and husband, Joey, along with their 2 children and 1 on the way. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Dorthella DeMill; and his brother, Kenneth.

Funeral services were held Saturday December 2nd at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Braunfels, Texas. A Memorial service will be held in Manti, Ut on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Manti Tabernacle. Burial will be in the Manti Cemetery with Military Honors by the Manti American Legion Post #31.