Aldon Junior Anderson, beloved husband and father and distinguished jurist, died on March 24, 1996, at home in the comfort of his family at age 79.
He was born on January 3, 1917, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Aldon Joseph Anderson and Minnie Egan Anderson. He was the first of four children, with siblings Elaine Anderson Cannon, Lowell Gary Anderson and Nadine Anderson Cook.Aldon married Virginia Weilenmann on November 5, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were the parents of seven children: Jeffrey, Scott, Craig, Chris, Kevin, Becky and Douglas, and were blessed with 20 grandchildren. After the death of his wife, Virginia, he married Deon Murray of Salt Lake City on October 18, 1991.
A 1937 graduate of the University of Utah, Aldon received a degree in law from the University in 1943. He began his legal career with the Utah State Tax Commission. In 1945 he entered private practice, and his partners included Edward W. Clyde, Howard Corey, Allan Mecham, Wayne C. Durham, Emmett L. Brown, and David S. King.
Aldon was elected District Attorney for the Third Judicial District in 1952 and was re-elected in 1956. He was president of the District Attorneys Association during several of those years. In 1957 he was appointed a Third District Court Judge by Governor George W. Clyde. Judge Anderson served as president and presiding judge of the State District Judges Association, and presiding judge of the Family Court Division of the Third District Court.
Judge Anderson was appointed a United States District Judge in 1971 and became Chief Judge for the District of Utah in 1978. While on the federal bench, he served a term as president of the United States District Judges Association for the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Aldon was instrumental in establishing the American Inns of Court, and served as first Chairman of the United States Inn of Court Foundation. The Aldon J. Anderson Inn of Court was named in his honor, in recognition of his contributions.
A gifted teacher, Aldon loved the years he spent training his law clerks, and teaching business law at the University of Utah, early morning seminary at Highland High School, and gospel doctrine in his church.
Aldon was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a missionary in the British Isles under President Hugh B. Brown, participated in the Millenial Choir, and maintained a lifelong association with many of his fellow missionaries. He also served in two Stake Presidencies, on the General Correlation Committee of the Church, as a member of the Sunday School General Board, and in many other capacities.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Judge Anderson was a nationally ranked state singles and doubles champion in handball, a multi-year state champion in racquetball, and a city champion in squash. Aldon prized his membership at the Deseret Gymnasium and cherished his associations there.
Judge Anderson is survived by his three siblings, his wife Deon, his seven children and their spouses: Jeff and Kathy, Scott and Jesselie, Craig and Joan, Chris and Alison, Kevin and Julie, Becky, Doug and Lisa, and his 20 grandchildren. He treasured his relationship with Deon's married children: Donna, Carolyn, Nancy, John and their families.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 29, 1996, at 12 noon, in the Monument Park North Stake Center, 1320 South Wasatch Drive (2500 East). Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m., and Friday morning at the Stake Center, 10-11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 So. Highland Drive.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the University of Utah College of Law Library. Send donations to: Rita Reusce, Director, College of Law Library, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.
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