King Anderson

Salina, Utah - L. King Anderson of Salina, passed away August 5, 2022, at the age of 75. He was born September 15, 1946, a son of Lynford James and Lula D. King Anderson in Salina. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Ellen Hales, on September 18, 1964.

King was the proud dad of two boys, Rustin and Bruce. Bruce married Wendy, and they provided King and Mary with 4 grandsons: Ethan, Aiden, Rylan, and Jaxon. – King’s pride and joy. He never let a time go by that he didn’t say to Wendy, “Thank you for giving us these boys!”

King was in the Utah National Guard, 222 for 6 years, during the Vietnam war. He was a gunner and served his basic training in Fort Ord California and then went to Fort Sill Oklahoma for his gunnery training.

He was very active in civic activities such as the Salina Fire Department, Salina Chamber of Commerce president (twice), Salina Jaycee, organizing the Salina 4th of July children’s games for many years.

King was a hard worker and always had to stay busy. He could never sit still. King grew up in the grocery business helping run Anderson’s Food Center with his parents and delivered many groceries. He always had lots of stories about delivering to local families and businesses. His family later sold the grocery store and then King and Mary built many successful businesses including Rusty’s car wash, King’s Drive in, which are still standing today. He learned to cut meat from his dad and was a loved butcher by all. He also worked for the state road department. He ran a successful video store with Mary and people loved to come to the store because he always smelled so good. Later they opened the best pizza store in Salina. He continued in the grocery business working at Barrett’s Food Town, cutting meat for the last 26 years.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ellen Anderson of Salina, sons: Rustin Anderson of Salina, Bruce and Wendy Anderson of Cedar City, and his 4 grandchildren: Ethan, Aiden, Rylan, and Jaxon.

King is preceded in death by his parents: Lynford James Anderson, Lula D. King and Stepfather: Weldon Simpkins, and his in-laws, Marwood J and Maurine Hales.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate in memory of King at Utah Independent Bank.

Graveside services with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 and the Utah Honor Guard will be Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

Please share your favorite memory of King and send it to Bruce Anderson, 277 S, Ridge Road, Cedar City, UT 84720 or via facebook (bruce wendy anderson) messenger.