Phillip ‘Gary’ Anderson

1942 — 2022

Tuolumne County resident Phillip Gary “Smokey” Anderson passed away suddenly on Jan. 1, 2022, at the age of 79.

Gary was born in Oakland and later moved to Sonora with his mother. Gary attended Modesto Junior College and would work as jailer for Tuolumne County before starting work for the USFS. He joined the Sonora City Fire Department where he retired after 20 years of dedicated service. Gary was a member of E Clampus Vitus, a scholar of local history, gold panning hobbyist, and coin collector. He was a kind, generous, and altruistic man who could talk and befriend anyone.

Gary is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janice Anderson, and his son, Ryan Anderson, both of Sonora.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home.