Gerald Anderson

Gerald Leroy (Jerry) Anderson passed away on Monday, September 16th, 2024, surrounded by his family and close friends.

Jerry was born on July 31st, 1949, to Dale (Clifford) and Rose (Estelle) Anderson, in Turlock, CA. Jerry grew up on a dairy farm on Swenson Road in Hilmar, CA, where he learned his strong work ethic. While growing up at the ranch could be challenging at times, Jerry would always find time for fun and hi-jinks.

Jerry went to kindergarten in Hilmar. Then went to a 2-room schoolhouse at Riverside School in the country. He graduated from Hilmar Junior & Senior High School in 1963 & 1967, respectively. He played football & was Senior class president. During high school, Jerry earned the nickname “Clutch” for all the clutches he would burn out in more than one car!!!

He was first known for working at the Standard station on Lander Avenue in his high school/college years. He held numerous jobs in California before moving to Washington state in 1973. This is when he met HW (Sonny) Smith, who convinced Jerry to move to Montana, where the two of them would sell insurance throughout the state.

Through Sonny, Jerry met his future wife Marion, in 1975 in Avon, MT. Jerry and Marion married on March 5, 1976, in Coeur d'Alene, ID, and were married until Marion’s death in March 2020.

1977 Jerry and Marion moved their new family to Missoula where they found their forever home. From then on, Jerry immersed himself within the Missoula community, where he nurtured his devotion of his beloved Griz among his many other interests.

There are many great stories about Jerry’s life in Missoula, too many to share here. However, we would be amiss not to include Jerry’s persuasion with Marion to own/operate Dog’s ala Cart – the first New York style hot dog stand in Missoula in the mid 1980’s.

Jerry was very passionate about his involvement with the Masons (Sentinel Lodge 155) and the Shriners. One of the first acts Jerry did as a Mason was to organize funds for Missoula PD to receive its first K9’s in 1990’s. Jerry was part of the Shriner’s midget car patrol, participated in the Shriner’s circus every year, and held many leadership positions within the Mason organization. In fact, Jerry received the highest honor with the Montana Masons by becoming the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Masons for the state of Montana in 2017-2018.

Jerry sold insurance throughout the state of Montana. As an independent agent, Jerry sold for many companies, but it was his partnership with Diane Hellman which really set him apart from the rest. Many people know Jerry from his time at New York Life, and each fall during Medicare Open Enrollment through their agency, Jerry Anderson & Diane Hellman Insurance Agency. Jerry’s knowledge of insurance laws as well as his personable approach to connecting with his clients helped with the success of their agency. In fact, while attending his last high school reunion in 2017, he was the most popular person in attendance, with everyone asking him questions about Medicare.

 One thing that set Jerry apart from anyone else was his love for his family. He loved his family so much and was always thinking of them first before himself. While Jerry and Marion didn’t have children of their own, Jerry made one of his greatest sacrifices by adopting Marion’s two children from her previous marriage, Scott and Kelly, in 1977. This was unprecedented at the time. Never once did Jerry treat either Scott or Kelly any other way than his children. Both loved him so much, and as Scott has said many times Jerry gave him back his childhood. Jerry and Marion hosted Elsa, a foreign exchange student from Spain, for the 1986/1987 school year. They maintained a special relationship, even being invited to Elsa’s wedding and having the honor of being the ones who signed as witnesses on the marriage certificate.

Not too many people can say they had two loves in their lives, but then you don’t know Jerry. Jerry met Marya Pimentel their first day of kindergarten and went to school together until high school graduation. Jerry actually introduced Marya to her future husband Mike. They reconnected when both were widowed, and lived a special, happy life together until Jerry’s passing. Scott and Kelly can never thank Marya enough for her love and support of Jerry during the past four years, and really being the one to take care of Jerry until his death.

 Jerry was preceded in death by both parents Cliff and Estelle, brother Donny and sister Martha and his wife Marion. Survivors include his sister Betsy of Hilmar, CA, son Scott (Jocelyn) of Spartanburg, SC, children Connar, Brenna, Parkar and Maddie, daughter Kelly (Martin) of Chesapeake, VA, children August and Olivia, nieces Talia and Jordan, along with many cousins.

Scott and Kelly want to thank everyone at the Montana Cancer Center & Oncology floor at St. Patrick’s Hospital. Everyone there was simply incredible and took such great care of Jerry, right up to the end.

A celebration of life will be held at Garden City Funeral Home, located at 1705 W Broadway, Missoula, on September 27 at 1:30 p.m., with a reception right after. Internment will be held on September 30 for immediate family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you to please make a donation in Jerry’s honor to Shriners Children's Hospital,