Gary Clark Anderson

Remembering… Gary Clark Anderson of rural Plainville, Kansas passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at the Hays Medical Center from pancreatic cancer at the age of 72. He was born January 5, 1942, in Denver, Colorado to Paige O. Anderson, originally from Holdrege, Nebraska and Mildred (Hedstrom) Anderson, originally from Funk, Nebraska. Gary grew up in Kansas and Nebraska living in many small towns along the way. He attended Stockton grade school up to the 6th grade and moved to Plainville where he graduated from High School with the Class of 1961. Gary started his mechanic fix-it skills working for John Bird as a motorcycle mechanic after school during his high school years. He loved riding motorcycles with the Werner’s and John. He moved out on the Saline River working for Wayne and Kathleen Slimmer in 1960 as a hired man. That is where he met his wife of 52 years, Barbara. After graduation he continued with the Slimmer’s until 1962 when he moved to Wichita Falls, Texas to attend Midwestern University. Gary and Barbara were married in Kamay, Texas, on March 10, 1963. They returned to Plainville in 1964. Gary went to work for C.R. Porter Trucking working with his brother Lance and working off hours again for Wayne Slimmer as he himself started a hog herd. In 1965, Gary, Barb and baby Shannon moved back to the Saline River. Gary loved the farm life. Gary supplemented the farm income by working for Buck Jennings on pulling units. Gary and Barb started buying the Wayne Slimmer farm in the late 60’s, they also purchased the old Saline Valley School and started remodeling it into their home where they still lived. Gary was a rancher on the Saline River for 55 years starting with the hogs and later raising cattle, crops and watermelon. He enjoyed camping, dancing, traveling, singing (he was blessed with a beautiful voice) and visiting with friends. Gary loved all animals but most especially his Chow dog Mingo. He could fix anything that was broken and would spend hours fixing something just because he enjoyed doing it. His girls, grandchildren, and friends nick-named him McGyver. Gary found out June 4th, 2014 that he had pancreatic cancer. He fought hard and never gave up hope that he would beat this, but it was a battle he could not win. Gary will be sadly missed by his wife of the home, Barbara (White) Anderson; two daughters, Shannon (Anderson) Carter and Shelly Anderson both of Plainville; three Grandsons, Jason Lindsey and wife Katie, Nicholas Wilkerson, and Kyle Carter; one granddaughter Paige Ann Wilkerson; great-grandson Oliver Lindsey, and great-granddaughter Adrenna Lowry all of the Plainville area. Other survivors include a brother, Lance Anderson and wife Judy of Pratt; sisters Leanna (Anderson) Bennett of Sterling, Deanna (Anderson) McQueen and husband Carrol of Stockton, Carolyn (Anderson) Tucker of Maryland, and Judy (Anderson) Morgan of Gilbert, AZ; 10 nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Paige and Mildred Anderson, , his parents, one brother, Leonard Leroy, a grandson, Shane Wilkerson, nephew Steve Morgan, Brother in-laws, Lew Bennett, Pete Morgan, Jim Nelson and his side-kick for 15 years, Chow dog Mingo. Cemetery: Private family inurnment