Edgar Thomas Anderson

EDGAR THOMAS ANDERSON, beloved husband of Janet Anderson, passed away on Saturday April 9, 2022 at the age of 77 years.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday April 14, 2022 at 2:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints KNIGHT STREET CHAPEL (260 E 200 N, Raymond, AB). 

Friends are welcome to meet with the family on Thursday from 1:00 to 1:45pm prior to the Service at the Church.

Please click this link to view the live stream of the service.

Memories of her father by Mauria 

On April 9th, 2022, Edgar Thomas Anderson passed away peacefully with his loving and devoted wife Janet (Wynder) Anderson by his side. He will also be greatly missed by his children, Mauria Nicole Anderson, Shannon Danae Bridge (Michael), and Doran Edgar Anderson. He is loved by his grandchildren, Dallin Edgar Campbell, Chelsea Danae King (Brodie), Kristen Esther Campbell, Hali May Wood (Kaden), Clair Isabelle Bevans (Peter), Jacob Michael Bridge, and Annie Aurelia Bridge.  Ed was also blessed with four great grandchildren, Isla Lauren Bevans, Oliver Michael King, Parker Kaden Wood, and Isabelle Danae Bevans. Ed is survived by his younger sister Carolyn Evans (Mark), and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  Ed is predeceased by his father , James Anderson, his mother MayBell Head Anderson and his older sister, Janet (Anderson) Peciulis and his older brother Robert Anderson.

Edgar Thomas Anderson was born November 27th, 1944.  He surprised his parents by making his entry into this world prematurely.  There was no time to head to the hospital, instead Ed was born at home, in Raymond Alberta.  To keep him warm, he was placed in the warmer of the coal stove. It served the purpose of a makeshift incubator. Ed grew to be a tall man of 6’3 despite being a premie. He accomplished much in his youth.  He learned to drive earlier than he should have, but his tall stature and confident demeanor looked credible behind the wheel.  His younger sister Carolyn loved to take all of his gum, chew it up and leave a great big ball of gum on top of Eddie’s dresser drawers.  At the kitchen table, seated across from each other, Carolyn would flick her fingers in a manner that would annoy her big brother to no end!  On Christmas Eve they would take a stack of comic books up to their bedroom and read and read hoping nightfall would come early.

Ed was a great student and successfully won his bid to become Student Body President of the Raymond High School. He was also very popular at the high school dances. It was well known that if you danced with Eddie, you were sure to win the dance contest.

After high school Ed worked the late shift at the Sugar Factory. He successfully saved  his money and started University. In time Ed felt he should answer the call to serve a full time mission in the Spanish speaking Texas mission.  Ed found a love for the Spanish people and even learned the traditional ways of preparing authentic Mexican food. As his family we are so grateful for the delicious Latin food he learned to cook.

While attending Mount Royal University, Ed met the love of his life at a Singles’ activity put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It wasn’t long before he asked our mother, Janet Wynder to be his wife.  They were married in the Cardston Temple for time and all eternity.  A funny thing happened a couple of weeks before their wedding date, they found out that there had been a mix up with the booking of the temple. Although the temple was closed for cleaning, they were allowed to proceed with the wedding.

Ed enrolled at BYU Provo.  Ed took  summer school classes and extra credits while enrolled and was able to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling in four and a half years.

It wasn’t until after Ed left home that he discovered a love for music.  He had a beautiful tenor voice.  Ed participated in a couple Town of Raymond plays and was asked often to sing.

One day while Janet was working in the garden, Ed came out and said that he thought they should adopt a baby boy.  They adopted a daughter Mauria, and then were pleasantly surprised as Janet was able to conceive  and give birth to a sister for Mauria. Their daughter Shannon Danae was born.  (Edgar is a very spiritual man and when he receives inspiration we, his family have learned to listen.)  A few years later they adopted their son, an 11 month old, Doran Edgar Anderson. Our family was complete.

I’m quite sure that planning and going on vacation was our Dad’s favorite activity.  We drove down the West coast to California but Disneyland was always the main event.  We would take different roads to our final destinations.  It was a great way for us kids to be educated firsthand about things we only read about in a textbook.  We drove through the Redwood forests, toured the Hoover Dam, and entered  the deep dark blackness that enveloped the Lewis and Clark Caverns.  Our vacations were generally in the summer months because our mom taught Elementary School and therefore her time off was during the summer.  We would load up the  blue station wagon without air conditioning, and Ed would drive beginning at 3a.m. The station wagon was covered in vinyl seat covers, especially in the desert. If we didn't put towels down on the seats, the vinyl got so hot we'd burn our legs. 

Ed was always researching new and different things to visit on our way to California.  He always said that when your children are grown they aren’t going to remember a new china cabinet or  a bigger home.  When they are grown they will remember the time spent together as a family. One year Dad found cheap flights to Orlando , Florida.  He quickly snatched up the flights and we were off to Disneyworld.  Back then flying was fancy and we all dressed in our nicest casual clothes and loved the idea of flying in an airplane for the first time.  

Ed was a very generous man.  He gave where it was needed and showed compassion to those less fortunate.  He helped many young men get outfitted with luggage, suits, shoes, etc. so that they would be ready when it was their turn to serve the Lord in the mission field. Ed and Janet served a mission at the service mission in Lethbridge, Alberta.  They served in the Employment Center, meeting with those eager to find a job and in need of a resume.  They used their formal education, teaching those who needed help.

When he was diagnosed with diabetes, he immediately started exercising and eating impeccably healthy food.  He was able to keep his diabetes under control without insulin for a couple of decades.  He had heart difficulties requiring surgery.  Again he was strong and determined to fully recuperate and he did!

Ed and Janet enjoyed retirement and took the opportunity to purchase  a mobile home in Healing Waters, Desert Hot Springs. One Christmas the entire family spent Christmas at their place in Desert Hot Springs.  We loved the hot pools just a few feet from Ed and Janet’s place.  Imagine twelve people in a two bedroom , one bathroom mobile home! The grandkids loved sleeping in a tent in the middle of December.  That holiday all together is one of our fondest memories.

The general theme throughout Edgar Thomas Anderson’s life is that of love for his family and especially his sweetheart , Janet.  His generosity and love of family is an example to his posterity who would do well to live it!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edgar Thomas Anderson, please visit our floral store.