Janet Lee (Gray) Anderson

Janet Lee Anderson, 75, co-owner and bookkeeper of Anderson Book and Office Supply, Newton’s oldest downtown business, died Friday (Nov. 26, 2010) at Via Christi-St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita.

She was born June 28, 1935, to Milton and Edith Gray in Woodward, Okla. The Gray family moved to Newton when Jan was in the second grade. She finished her education in the Newton schools and loved being a Railroader. Jan’s high school years coincided with the school’s greatest basketball teams under Coach John Ravenscroft.

Jan met the love of her life, Phillip Anderson III, a Newton High student and a basketball manager, at a Demolay/Job’s Daughters dance during her sophomore year at Newton High School. She took a clerking job at Anderson Book Store, then married the boss’ son on Sept. 4, 1954, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Jan’s family was the focus and true passion of her life, where most of the ever-present smiles that she went through life with were devoted. She also enjoyed cooking and interacting with customers at the bookstore, located at the corner of Main and Broadway streets on Newton’s busiest downtown corner. She had a collection of hundreds of cookbooks and for years actively submitted her favorite recipes to The Newton Kansan and Wichita Eagle holiday cookbooks, winning various awards throughout the years. She also enjoyed collecting Precious Moments and Simpich dolls, crocheting, knitting and traveling. She attended Emporia State University, where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.

Jan was a familiar face at a wide variety of Newton activities, including the Red Hat Society — Harvey Girls, and the Newton High School Athletic Booster Club. She was the hospitality coordinator for the Newton Athletic Hall of Fame induction banquet since its inception. She was active in the Harvey County Hawks group and loved supporting the KU Jayhawks. Jan also served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church and just last week ended her term on the church’s endowment committee. Jan served on the board of Presbyterian Manor in Newton and was a member of Newton’s Soroptimist organization and the Harvey County Historical Society board. Jan and Phil had a passion for Newton High School sports, holding season tickets to basketball and football games for more than 50 years. Jan also had a passion for the Daughters of the American Revolution, holding many offices, including past regent for the Newton DAR chapter.

Survivors include her husband, Phil; sons, Milt and wife Sabrina, Murray and wife Meredith; daughter-in-law Virginia and fiancé Charlie Fair; seven grandchildren, Emily, Erica, Dylan, Avery, Abby, Carlye and Kaylee; and a sister, Jean Walton, Tulsa, Okla. Her parents and one son, Clay, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. The family suggests memorials to the Newton High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the First Presbyterian Church Endowment.