Arthur James Anderson
January 30, 1937 – August 27, 2026
Arthur James Anderson, 89, of South Jordan, Utah, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026. Art was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend. He leaves behind a family and many friends who will miss his stories, his humor, his stubbornness, and the unmistakable spirit that made him Art.
Art was born January 30, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Gladys Viola Buker Anderson and James Everett Anderson. He was one of ten children and, in the end, was the last of his siblings. He often looked at that fact, knowing that a great reunion was waiting for him on the other side.
Art lived a life full of hard work, adventure, and stories worth telling. From a young age, he developed a lifelong love of horses after chasing wild horses through the West Desert of Utah. That love grew into training, breaking, racing, and raising American Quarter Horses. He competed in chariot races and flat-track races, winning countless races throughout his life. If you spent much time with Art, you probably heard a few of those stories—and, if you were lucky, he had the pictures to prove them.
At 17 years old, just two days after his birthday, Art joined the United States Marine Corps. His time in the Marines was an important part of who he was, and he proudly carried the words Semper Fi throughout his life.
Art was a man who knew how to work. He spent much of his life working for himself in construction and concrete, along with shoeing and training horses. He wasn’t afraid of hard work, and he rarely let life’s challenges keep him from doing what needed to be done.
But perhaps the greatest part of Art’s life was the family he built with his beloved wife, Cleo Agnes Johnson Anderson.
Art and Cleo were married on July 7, 1955, and were later sealed in the Jordan River Temple. They shared more than 70 years of marriage, raising five children and building a life together filled with family, work, horses, racing, laughter, and countless memories. They were just 45 days shy of celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary when Cleo passed away. Art missed her deeply. Three months and four days later, he joined her.
Art and Cleo raised their family in South Jordan and surrounding communities, eventually making their home on their South Jordan property, where they remained for many years. Their greatest legacy is the family they created.
Art is survived by his five children: Theresa (Mike) Jensen, Tammy (Ken) Groves, Sandy (Scott) Johnson, Jamie (John) Degelbeck, and Tim (Shelly) Anderson; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Nyla (Ernie) Cook; and brother-in-law Michael Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cleo; his parents, Gladys and Everett; and his siblings: Ruth, Rachel, Gail, John, Virginia, George, Robert, Jack, and Ronald.
In March 2026, Art and Cleo moved into Spring Gardens Assisted Living in Midvale. Neither of them probably expected how much that chapter of life would come to mean to them. Art made friends, found people to visit with, and discovered new things to look forward to. His family is especially grateful for the kindness, companionship, and joy he experienced there during his final months.
Art’s life was not measured simply by the years he lived, but by the people he loved, the work he did, the horses he trained, the races he won, and the stories he left behind.
He was tough.
He was hardworking.
He was funny.
He was sometimes ornery.
And he was deeply loved.
He spent his life building a family, collecting memories, and telling stories.
Now, after a lifetime of adventures and more than 70 years beside the woman he loved, Art gets to go home to Cleo.
And we imagine that reunion is going to be one hell of a story.
A special thank you to “all” the staff and residents at Spring Gardens Midvale, and to Renew Hospice. Thank you, Jaycee!
Funeral Services
A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Country Park 3rd Ward, 1988 West 11400 South, South Jordan, Utah.
The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m.
Interment and United States Marine Corps Honors will be at South Jordan Cemetery, 10630 So 1055 W, South Jordan, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, make a memory with your loved ones.
7 Responses
I only knew Art and Cleo for a short time. I moved into Spring Garden retirement in Midvale in March. Art was fun to be around, his adventurous spirit never left him. He would ride his scooter with another resident and go to different restaurants to eat. His family are amazing bringing fish and chips with vinegar to us so we could have a picnic.
He made me feel important as he did his other friends here. I remember Cleo and Art sitting next to each other at meals in the dining room, he always made sure she ate something. He took care of her needs lovingly. It has been a tremendous experience knowing Art and his family the closeness, the love for each other. Thank you for loving me. My family is not close, they don’t even talk to each other. THANK YOU 😊
I didn’t know Art but he sounds like he was and is an amazing man. I’m sure he is having the best reunion.
I’m sorry for your losses my cousins. I loved Uncle Art and Aunt Cleo. Even though I didn’t see them for a very long time. We got back in touch recently and I talked with Aunt Cleo often awhile before her end. I will miss my conversations about General Hospital. Lol I hope you are all doing well and think about our childhood fun together. Uncle Art one of the first people to reach out and come see me when I got ill from my bad alcohol desiese.he told me he was proud of me for quiting and that truly meant a lot to me. He touched my heart with his stern but kind love throughout the years. Especially when I was a lost teenager. He always made things decided in my head after a visit and long talk about what was happening, and helped find a good piece of mind. Grandpa Anderson raising me made it a pleasure of knowing Uncle Art. When he knew there were problems that were escalating. He would come to my rescue. I know it must be hard losing your last parent and I love you all.
Who would have thought that this year we would lose both you and Mom? Dad, I already miss our late-night conversations so much.
I was worried about moving you and Mom to Spring Gardens, but you both surprised us. After losing Mom, you made up your mind to enjoy your surroundings and make the most of each day. I’m so thankful for the friendship you found with Bruce and Jean. They have become family, and I know they will always hold a special place in our hearts.
I’m going to miss our fishing trips. I guess I’m going to have to go and see if I can finally catch a fish using your poles. ❤️
I love you, Dad! You and Mom are deeply missed, but I’m so thankful knowing that you’re together again.
There will never be another Art. He is greatly missed by so many. His short stay a Spring Garden touched so many lives as did his family, he would tell of the stories of what his his girls would do,toilet paper the place, helping those who needed help with out asking told stories of each one and he was so proud, it might of been one of his proudest moments.
I send my love and prayers to all of you who have lost another of your family.
God’s speed Art everyone has been waiting.but still keep an eye out for use. Love you. Xoxoxoxo
first met Art in March 2026 at the Spring Gardens. He struck me as a true honest man who loved his wife Cleo immensely and his daughters and son equally. Was the first real life cowboy I have ever met. He grew up with horses chasing horses in the wilds of the west and then racing horses and chariots. His life would’ve been an outstanding movie production of the earlier 1900s. In a few months, I knew him I learned to love him like a brother and admire his qualities. His passing though painful is a relief to his pain and an opportunity for him to see Cleo again. God bless you, Art your friend Bruce.
I had the great pleasure of growing up in the west valley community of chesterfield. Where Art and Cleo also resided as well. They were 10 years older than myself. I practically lived at the Johnson house Vivian being my closest playmate. Many times at lunch time when Cleo babysat she included lunch for me as well as viv. She never complained about the missing kitchen utensils that ended up in the sand pile. Or when viv and I swiped Lyla’s cigarettes and I vomited on the living room floor. I watched as these amazing couple dated and fell in love. Saw Cleo pick her wedding dress and prepare for their wedding. Remember the sadness Art carried silently at the loss of a brother who was accidentally shot and killed by a neighbor. Remember the black horse Art captured on the west desert. I think he ended up selling it to Swany Kirby as brink rodeo horse. My condolences to the Anderson family and friends but know one could not exist without the other.