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Jay Forrest Anderson
Birth: 21 April, 1951, Montebello, Los Angeles County, CA
Death: 6 Nov 2015, Chico, CA
Jay Forrest Anderson lost his fearless battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Friday, November 6th, 2015 at home surrounded by his family and friends. He was born April 21st, 1951 in Montebello, California to Alvin and Arleen Anderson. He was the oldest of three siblings. The family including Jay and his two younger brothers, Wayne and Gard moved from Southern California to Northern California in 1963. He graduated from Chico Senior High in 1969. He was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. At the end of his senior year, he was selected by the Balitmore Orioles, in the amateur baseball draft. He elected to stay in school, and attended Butte College where he excelled in football and baseball. After Butte College, he accepted a football scholarship to San Diego State University. While at San Diego State, he continued to excel as a two sport Division 1 athlete. He was later inducted into the Butte College and Chico Athletic Hall of fames.
In 1972 he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Richmond. He graduated in 1973 with a BS in Business Administration and started his career in San Diego. Jay and Karen started their family in 1976 with their first son, Aaron, followed by Travis. The family moved back to Chico in 1983 and later welcomed their daughter Megan. While in Chico, Jay completed his teaching credentials and subsequently taught at Marigold Elementary School for nearly 20 years. He also coached in various programs around the community including Chico State, Westside Little League, Chico High School, Chico Pony League, and Chico American Legion.
In his busy 64 years, Jay was a precious son, competitive brother, caring husband, loving father, playful grandfather, inspirational coach, and extraordinary teacher to hundreds of children in the community who were lucky enough to have Mr. A. To those who knew Jay, it was obvious that there was nothing he couldn't accomplish. From building his own house, planting his own orchard, fixing cars, catching fish, and raising kids. He did it all!! And while doing everything, he always managed to take time to help anyone that asked. Jay had a giant heart and the innate ability to touch the lives of those he crossed paths with. To his own family, he embodied the term, "Dad." He was fun, loving, educational, strict, and accepted no excuses for subpar effort. Sadly, he lost Karen in 2008 from breast cancer. After her passing, he never really settled back into life. He continued to support his children, and loved the role of PaPa for his grandchildren.
After being diagnosed with ALL, he fought an incredible battle. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2011 and spent over 7 months at Stanford Hospital. The entire time, he was resilient and steadfast in his will to survive. It was an epic battle. Though modern medicine gave him an additional 5 years, it ultimately, let him down and could offer no further treatment options. He had handled and conquered every known treatment available.
Jay is survived by his 2 parents Alvin and Arleen, his 2 brothers Wayne and Gard, 3 children, Aaron, Travis (Jenni), and Megan (Josh). His 4 grandchildren, Mason, Reese, Camryn, and Hailey. He will remain in hearts forever.
A graveside service will take place at Glenn Oaks Memorial Park on Saturday, Nov 14th at 10:00, followed by a celebration of life service at 12 p.m. at the Bidwell Presbyterian Church.
You may share your thoughts and memories of Jay online at newtonbracewell.com.
Published in Chico Enterprise-Record from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12, 2015.
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Rest in Peace
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Linda Gail Gray (Stigall)
So sorry to here this. Sending my thoughts and Prayers to everyone who had the privilage of knowing "Jay." "God Bless"
Linda
Linda G. Bearse (Netto)
Anderson's Life of Sports Leads to Chico Hall of Fame
Posted 5/8/11, Chico Enterprise-Record by Nick Wilson, Sports Writer
Jay Anderson will be inducted into the Chico Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday at the Chico Sports Hall of Fame and Senior Athletes Banquet at the Chico Elks Lodge, sponsored by the Enterprise-Record and the Awards Company.
Although Jay Anderson has received accolades throughout his athletic career, being inducted into the Chico Sports Hall of Fame still caught him a little off guard.
"This one here is a little out of the blue," said Anderson, who was the 1969 Chico High Senior Athlete of the Year and the 1971 Most Valuable Player of the Butte College football team.
As a Panther, Anderson was a three-sport standout, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.
Upon graduating from high school, Anderson was a 14th-round draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles, and divided his time evenly between baseball and football in college. During his freshman year at Butte, Anderson would often play quarterback on Saturday, then drive to the Bay Area to catch nine innings the following day.
He stayed just as busy once he accepted a football scholarship at San Diego State, where he continued to split time on the gridiron and the baseball diamond, excelling in both arenas. While at San Diego State, the football team was ranked No. 10 in the nation, and No. 1 in passing.
For Anderson, athletics weren't just a casual pastime, they were integral to developing character.
"That was a big attribute to my career," Anderson said. "It taught me that, 'Never give up' kind of thing. That's what I look at now as a parent. I've been able to use those skills throughout my life."
For that reason, it was important for Anderson to help the area youth cultivate that same sense of self-worth through sports. After his own playing days had drawn to a close, Anderson returned to Chico to begin a family, and became involved in a number of local programs.
In the 1980s, he was an assistant coach for the Chico State baseball team, and from 1989 to 1991, was the president of the Chico Westside Little League. When his tenure as president ended, Anderson then began girls softball in Chico Little League with the help of Adele Johnson, and in 1993, he rekindled the Chico Pony League, which he once participated in, but had essentially gone out of existence. During that time, he was also an assistant coach for Chico High's freshman football team.
Anderson remained involved in Little League baseball, and went on to transition the All-Star Pony League team into the current Chico American Junior Legion program, which gives kids the chance to play high-caliber baseball outside of the north state.
"Basically there were a lot of kids who wanted to play, but there weren't enough spaces," Anderson said.
Today, Chico American Legion baseball continues to thrive.
Anderson will be inducted at the Elks Lodge Tuesday during the 39th annual Chico Sports Hall of Fame and Senior Athletes Banquet sponsored by the Enterprise-Record and the Awards Company. Joining Anderson as inductees this year are Sandy Goulart, Armand Brett and Kirk Freitas.
In addition to the four Hall of Fame inductees, the banquet will honor the top senior athletes from Chico State and nine area high schools, and the top sophomore athletes from Butte College.
Tickets cost $30 and may be purchased at the Enterprise-Record office, 400 E. Park Ave. in Chico through noon on Tuesday. Due to catering needs, no tickets will be sold at the door.
The banquet begins with no-host drinks at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7.
Susan Jill Camenzind (Lee)
My thoughts and prayers are with Jay's family and friends. Jay was always very sweet and such a gentleman the years I knew him in high school. We had the opportunity to have a long wonderful conversation at our class reunion. I am so glad we spent some time together. He was a great athlete and did CHS proud. I will always remember Jay's outgoing personality, beautiful smile and his special laugh. Rest In Peace Jay. With love, Susie.
Glenn Lloyd Robertson
I am very saddened to hear of Jay's passing. We played Little League together with his brothers Wayne and Gard on the Breakfast Lions as well as high school football. It was clear he was a gifted athlete, even in Little League. He displaced great class in sports, no taunting or complaining. I don't remember his saying a negaive thing about anyone. It comes as no surprise how he fought his disease. He had guts and class. I only had contact with Jay after high school at high school reunions but he made a great impression on me. He was a great guy. My condolonces to his family.
Glenn Robertson