Perry Leonard Anderson

Perry passed away surrounded by many members of his loving family. He was born on the Anderson Family homestead in the Horse Heaven Hills near Prosser Washington to James and Bessie Anderson. Perry was the youngest of five children; Helen, Dorothy, Lewis, and Jamie were his older siblings (all preceded him in death). When Perry was four, the family moved to the Walla Walla Valley, and eventually settled in Touchet. Perry attended Touchet Elementary and graduated from Touchet High School in 1939. He married the love of his life, Josephine Brock on August 31, 1940. They were married for 66 years (Jo passed away in 2006.) After living in Seattle and working for Boeing for two years, they moved back to Touchet to pursue their dream of owning their own farm. Perry gained much experience leasing farms for 15 years before finding the right farm on Maxfield Road. This farm grew and became home to Perry, Jo, and their four children: Beverly, Sally, Rich and Shirley. Perry and Jo successfully farmed this land for several decades. Perry was a very motivated, hardworking and ingenious farmer always figuring out better ways to maximize the production of alfalfa seed. He was well- respected and noted by agriculturists (farmers and scientists) for his development of alkali bee beds. Those closest to him knew him as a humble, kind, and compassionate family man.

Eventually, Perry sold the farm reserving the sale of the farmhouse and 10 acres to his Grandson Doug Loney and his wife Berta. Perry always loved visiting the farm and it still remains a favorite place for family gatherings.

Perry is survived by his four children and their spouses, Bev Barnett (Wayne), Sally Harpe (Lyle), Rich Anderson (Char), Shirley Schaeffer (Terry); 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Perry was preceded in death by three grandsons, Neil Anderson, Robert Schaeffer, and Doug Loney.

On Wednesday July 31, 2024, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Touchet Gardena Lions Hall on Gardena School Road at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to The Touchet Educational Fund (or to the charity of your choice) in Perry’s name through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.