Laurence Devon Andersen

MURTAUGH – Laurence Devon Andersen, 79, of Murtaugh, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 30, 2005.

He was born July 28, 1926 in Malad, Idaho. He graduated from Malad High School in 1944 and entered the U.S. Navy shortly after turning 18. Upon graduating from Farragut Naval School, he served in the South Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Albemarle Sound as Radioman First Class. He served until the end of WWII and received an honorable discharge in June of 1946. He witnessed the Japanese surrender of several Pacific Islands, including Ponape.

DeVon was a highly recruited athlete with scholarship opportunities at several universities, including USC, University of Idaho and Utah State. He chose Utah State in order to remain close to home. While attending Utah State, he married Geraldine Deschamps on August 28, 1947 in St. John, Idaho. DeVon participated in football and track, receiving numerous awards. DeVon and Geraldine started their family in Logan, Utah.

After graduation in 1950, DeVon began his coaching and teaching career in Declo, Idaho. He enjoyed great success in the classroom as well as in athletics. In 1958, he moved on to Murtaugh High School where he coached, taught and was the high school principal. After 38 years of distinguished service, he retired in 1988.

DeVon pursued several business ventures and enjoyed tinkering with cars until his illness in early 2005.

He was an active member of the LDS Church and was sealed to his wife in the Logan Temple. He was involved in several local organizations, community service and government. He was a founding member of the College of Southern Idaho Booster Club, Lions Club and a member of the Magic Valley Hospital board.

DeVon enjoyed hunting, fishing and recreating with his family. He enjoyed the memories of the back country of Challis and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, and returned often to Challis for family reunions and hunting trips.

DeVon was a humble man despite his many accomplishments and awards. He greatest joys came from the successes of his children, family and of those he taught and coached.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; his brothers, Joe of Challis, and LaDell (Donna) of St. George, Utah; sister, Verna (Parker) Richards of Pocatello; ten children: Lou (Teresa) of Fairfield, Idaho, Ron (Terri) of Murtaugh, Jannett (Steve) Tucker of South Weber, Utah, Casey (Pam) of Burley, Idaho, Jill (John) Crozier of Jerome, Idaho, Jack (Jeanne) of Pleasant View, Utah, Marilyn (Jim) Cornell of Twin Falls, Idaho, Stephen (Inger) of Boise, Idaho and Forrest (Cindi) of Twin Falls, Idaho; 40 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

DeVon was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Elizabeth Andersen, two brothers, Loren “Cy” and Andy, one sister, Alta Matthews, and three daughters, Nora, Cora and Alane.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at the Murtaugh LDS Chapel and a short service in Malad at the Malad 2nd/5th Ward LDS Chapel.

Interment was in the Malad City Cemetery.