Vernon Bart Anderson

9Vernon Bart Anderson, “Bart”, returned home to his Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 7, 2026, due to natural causes incident to age. He was going strong, right up to the last week. We are so grateful he did not suffer much and had a peaceful transition to the rest of eternity.

He was born on August 19, 1932, in Leamington, Millard County, Utah, to Lynn Vernon and Fern Annie Elder Anderson. He was the eldest of seven children. The family moved to Murray, Utah, in 1936 when his dad got work during the depression at the Murray smelter. He attended schools in the Murray district, graduating from Murray High School in 1951.

In 1956, he “made the best decision of my life when I met and married Shirley Dean Payne,” and together they raised Marsha Louise. He retired from the Tooele Army Depot, where he worked in several capacities, including supervisor and as a mechanic. In his later years, he served as a local water master. He worked for the Utah and Salt Lake Canal Company for many years. He met many great friends while working on the canal, and his stories were legendary.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions over the years. He enjoyed scouting and was a scout master for many years, taking a lot of camping trips and honing his dutch oven skills. He remained close to several scouts throughout his life. He also enjoyed gardening and was a Master Gardener for 50 years. His love of gardening also brought him to the Utah State Fair, where he served alongside Shirley until she passed, and then continued for several years on his own. He worked in the horticulture building, ensuring all the produce looked good and keeping the displays in order. If you ever visited that building, you could spot him anywhere in his bright red fair shirt and bib overalls. You most likely would never forget a conversation you had with him as you visited. He could spin a story like no one else. He won several blue ribbons for his own submissions over the years.

His true love of the garden was the tomato. He perfected the art of tomato growing and would share his knowledge with everyone, including regular spots on the KSL garden show. They did a feature story on him in 2016 and crowned him the Tomato King of Utah. Watch the story here.

He loved the outdoors and being in the mountains. He enjoyed making many memories with the grandkids, his nieces and nephews, camping and fishing, and deer hunting with his brothers. Many tall tales were told around his kitchen/dining room table, where everyone was always welcome. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

He is survived by his sister, Lynn Richards (Mark) of West Jordan; brother-in-law, Chad Payne of St. George; sister-in-law, Marjean Bleazard (Walt); grandchildren, Bryan Pitt, Richelle Morrison (Matt), and Devan Pitt; and great-grandchildren, Arianna, Derek, Trinity, and Ally; and many extended family members, including nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Marsha; brothers, Boyd, Gordon, Steven, Max; sister, Joyce; and his parents. Hopefully, he is also survived by some tomato plants.

A special thanks to Carlyn Grossaint, Don Nichols, and cousin and friend, Jay Wiley, for your care and friendship.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Janette Ward, located at 5065 W Janette Avenue, West Valley City, Utah, on Saturday, March 14th, with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:15 am and a funeral at 10:30 am. Friends and family may call at the church on Friday from 6:00-8:00 pm.

He will be planted at the Valley View Cemetery, alongside his beloved wife, Shirley, and daughter, Marsha, directly following the funeral. 4335 W, 4100 South in West Valley City.

Here is the Zoom link to watch the funeral.

https://zoom.us/j/93261227256