Obituary
Lanny Dale Anderson went home to Jesus on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 at the age of 83.
Lanny was born to Norman and Koreen Anderson July 29th, 1939 in Spokane, Washington. Lanny played sports from an early age through to university and was an all-state football and baseball player. Lanny was drafted by a major league baseball team but chose family and finishing his Education degree over a career in MLB’s farm teams. He was a talented tap dancer, performing on the stage of the Fox Theater in Spokane with his older brother, in their younger days.
Lanny met Jean Miner, at North Central High School, in 1956. They married June 20th, 1959 and went on to have three children; Dale, Daryl and Marilyn.
Lanny, Jean, and family moved from Spokane WA to Livermore CA, in search of gainful employment. After a few years, they decided to emigrate to the “great white north” and were stopped by a snowstorm near Clinton and diverted south into the Okanagan valley, eventually settling in Kelowna BC. It was in Kelowna that Lanny began his career in teaching special education at Kelowna Senior Secondary which continued for 18 years. His design of individualized curriculum and development of a student tutor credit program became acclaimed among educators.
Lanny believed God was calling him to a mission in the Yukon. In fall 1987, he, Jean and Marilyn moved to the Yukon where he quickly became very involved in helping people – through school, church, or sports. He taught the special ed program at the high school, as well as life skills of “Character, Conduct and Ability”. Some of his students were told by experts that they would not amount to much in life. In keeping with Lanny’s belief in God, that God does change lives, Lanny undertook steps to help students succeed. Many of his former students and colleagues remained in contact with him.
Given Lanny’s passion for sports, he organized an intermural basketball program, the Whitehorse City Basketball League, and the Yukon Territorial Basketball League; eventually becoming the FH Collins High School basketball coach. Under his leadership, he taught the players “Character, Conduct and Ability”, leading the underdog basketball team from FH Collins to hold their own against some very talented teams – and winning championships, like the Rimby, AB Invitational Tournament. And beating an Anchorage Alaska team on their home court, whose crosstown rival was ranked #16 in USA. His efforts laid the foundation for the development of Basketball Yukon.
Lanny was actively involved in his church and serving the first nation community. Lanny organized boys and girls clubs to help teach about Gods love and grace; he organized adult literacy groups, helping elders learn to read by teaching them to read from the Bible; helped organize home Bible studies hosted by elders; and helped organize evangelistic meetings with the local First Nation elders, in their community. In his early 50’s, he obtained his fixed wing pilot licence so he could bring the Gospel to remote areas.
Lanny received Rotary International’s Paul Harris Award, in recognition of his tireless efforts with adult literacy, particularly with first nation elders. He became the second ever Yukoner to receive the Governor General’s Caring Canadians Award. In-fact he was the first ever non-Canadian to receive the award. The Governor General of Canada personally ensured Lanny received the Award and traveled to Whitehorse, to personally present the Award to Lanny on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Lanny’s love of God and spreading the gospel never tired. On a winter vacation with Jean to Yuma Arizona, Lanny sought out people in need. A day trip across the boarder to Mexico led to forming missionary works to help the “Forgotten, Neglected and Rejected” indigenous people in north Mexico, by providing practical help to the communities and teaching about God’s love, in partnership with churches from the Yukon, (Canada), Yuma AZ (USA), and beyond. Lanny remained active in missions even after he and Jean retired to Salmon Arm, BC until health issues prevented his trips to both Mexico and the Yukon.
Lanny’s greatest delights were Jean, his wife of 63 years, their three kids, their spouses, his grandkids and great grandkids. Lanny was a coach to his kids and grandkids, spending time with them and their passions whether it was teaching the kids to catch a baseball, hit a softball, dance, dog walking, watching airplanes land, playing in the abandoned cars at the city dump or rowing a boat on the Pacific Ocean for a fishing derby – he loved spending time with each one. Lanny and his son Daryl became the first ever fish ranchers in the Yukon.
Lanny’s lifelong service to God, displayed in living colour, his faith in God’s Amazing Grace and lived out the Scripture; ““You have faith, I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds”. (James 2: 18-19)
Lanny is survived by his wife Jean, his brother Larry (Patti), his children and their spouses, Dale (Cheryl), Daryl (Kathleen), and Marilyn (Collin); his grand-children; Jordan (Victoria), Leah (Elliot), Sarah (Bryan), Mark (Jodie), Bethany, Mitch (Sabrina) and Meghan (Ted); and his three great-grandchildren, Jude and Valentine (Jordan & Victoria), and Ada (Leah & Elliott); and many lifelong friends made along the way.
Lanny’s favourite scripture was Colossians 1:27, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Jerusalem Evangelical Ministries, a Canadian Charity was founded by Lanny and remains today. Anyone wishing to donate in his memory can find information at www.jeministries.net.
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We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lanny Dale Anderson July 29 1939 December 13 2022 83 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Death notice for the town of: Salmon Arm, Province: Colombie britanique