Phillip James Anderson, 64, of Reno, Nevada, formerly of Peoria, Illinois, died unexpectedly on Monday, November 21, 2022.
Phil was born on February 25, 1958 in Galesburg, IL, son of David and Betty (Noonan) Anderson. The third of six boys, he excelled in sports during his adolescence and received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas in 1980. Throughout his 40+ year career, Phil held a variety of publishing, sales, and digital marketing roles across the country (New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, and the Chicago/Peoria metropolitan area), receiving several accolades for his sales acumen; he was a multiple President’s Club winner at Thompson Reuters, 2004 Thomson-West National Sales Representative of the Year, and a 2017 Comcast Spotlight President’s Club winner.
Phil was known to have a wide variety of interests, which ranged from sports (such as baseball, football, and fishing) to exploring new places, spending time with family, engaging in political debates, playing backgammon and chess, or challenging you to a competitive game of shuffleboard, billiards, or Golden Tee Golf. He had an admiration for the arts and enjoyed painting in his free time (“The Seinfeld” and “The Seinfeld, Season 2” are two of his works especially loved by his daughters). Phil was also an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan, something he inherited from his parents and was excited to pass down onto his grandchildren. He appreciated history and would often read biographies of important figures from the past; if he insisted on taking you to a particular bar, hotel or restaurant, it was usually because there was an interesting story to tell behind it. Phil enjoyed close relationships with his brothers and always made sure everyone around him was having a good time. He will be remembered for his jovial spirit, particularly from the dozens of Anderson get-togethers over the years. He loved his family immensely and was looking forward to being closer to his children and grandchildren by retiring in Reno, which he had just relocated to in March of 2022. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends, who are deeply saddened that years with Phil have been cut short.
Phil is survived by his three children, Josephine Anderson (Oren) of Seattle, WA, Arlo (Andrea) Anderson of Carson, CA, and Janella Anderson of Fresno, CA; five grandchildren (Luca, Manny, Nathan, Aeden, and Skylar); brothers, Steven (Diane) of Houston, TX, Martin (Lynn) of Madeira Beach, FL, Timothy (Beth) of Orange Beach, AL, Robert (Maria) of Lake Zurich, IL, and Randall (Gretchen) of Destin, FL; many nieces and nephews; and Suyen Bailey, former wife and mother of his children. Phil was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation will be accorded. Memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the World Wildlife Fund (www.worldwildlife.org). Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services of Galesburg is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be made through the funeral home website at www.h-p-w.com.
