OBITUARY: Kent Kay Anderson

Kent Kay Anderson

Kent Kay Anderson passed away peacefully on March 13, 2021, surrounded by family members, after a long illness due to complications of diabetes and after suffering a stroke. He was born on July 7, 1933 in Enoch, Utah, the fifth son of Roland J. and Ellen Chaffin Anderson.

Kent graduated from Cedar City High School in 1951. In 1952, Kent and his twin brother Keith enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was trained as a jet mechanic, serving at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV. He married JaNeene Rae Baldwin for time and all eternity on September 17, 1954 in the St. George Temple.

After leaving the military, he graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors of Science degree and later earned his Master’s degree in Education Administration at the University of Utah.

Following graduation, the family moved to Henderson, Nevada where he began his career in education with the Clark County School District. He taught 8th grade science, was the Dean of Students and Assistant Principal at Burkholder Junior High School. In 1985, he accepted the position of Principal at Virgin Valley in Mesquite, Nevada and the family made their home in Bunkerville, Nevada. When Kent started at Virgin Valley he was the principal of all grades K-12, but was later instrumental in the building of Virgin Valley High School where he served as Principal for grades 7-12. He loved the students of Virgin Valley and was always proud to be a “Bulldog”.

Kent served faithfully and diligently in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While living in Henderson, he worked with the scouting program, as a councilor in the Bishopric, a Stake Councilor, and for 17 years was a teacher and early morning Seminary coordinator. He helped plan and directed church history tours for the students after each of the years of Doctrine and Covenants and church history study.

His school and seminary students remember fondly the time he spent mentoring them and helping them strive to be the best version of themselves.

While in Bunkerville he served as a Stake High Councilor and as Bishop of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward.
He and his wife JaNeene served two church service missions. They spent two years at Liahona High School in Tonga as CES missionaries and two years at Camp Kolob in Southern Utah. They also served for many years as ordinance workers in the St. George Temple. In every area of service, Kent was an example of hard work, dedication, good humor, and unconditional love. He made life-long friends wherever he went.

He is survived by his wife JaNeene and their four children: Craig (Pat) Anderson of Bunkerville, NV, Cheryl (Steve) Potter of Highland, UT, Brian (Suzanne) Anderson of Las Vegas, NV and Dianna Diefenderfer of Mesquite, NV; 15 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; brothers: David (Mary) Anderson of Bunkervile, NV, Keith (Emily) Anderson of Bloomington, UT, Roland (DeAnna) Anderson of Las Vegas, NV, and Steve (Sally) Anderson of Yuma, AZ; sister Lona Mitchell (Lynn) of Enterprise, UT; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved and adored him. Kent is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: John (Donetta) and Boyd; sisters: Patsy and Marie (Dick) Talbot; and grandson Tyler Diefenderfer.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center, 100 N. Arrowhead Lane. A public viewing will be held Friday, March 19 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., with a family viewing Saturday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Bunkerville Cemetery under the direction of the Bunkerville 1st Ward Bishopric.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mesa View Home Health for their dedication and kindness, and to all who have reached out with love and service during this difficult time.

The family would like to invite you to leave a message or memory in their guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.