Jairus E. Anderson

Jairus E. Anderson

April 12, 1963 – January 28, 2024

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, February 5, 10:30 a.m. at West Center Chapel, followed by a repass.

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Jairus E. Anderson, affectionately known as “Bear,” was born on April 12, 1963 in Waco, Texas to Elois Smith. He was the second of three children.

 In 1979, Jairus moved back to Omaha with his family. Jairus attended schools in Waco, Texas, Brooklyn, New York, Augusta, Georgia; concluding his education in Omaha, Nebraska, with an attainment of a Graduate Equivalency Degree. His career began working with Parks and Recreation as a lifeguard. He worked many years in customer service and hospitality management. He will be most remembered for his vibrant personality working and traveling with Utell Hotel and Resorts. On hot summer days you could find him coming to your neighborhood ringing the bell, driving the Bomb Pop truck to cool the masses.

 Jairus was a born bred Texan through and through, resulting in his sense of good food. Not only did he know good food, he was an excellent cook. His family loved his cooking and most of all his skills on the grill. His family looked forward to eating his “peachwood” smoked turkey at our Thanksgiving dinners. His family revered to him as their own personal “Hulk.” Jairus could put anything together and move anything, as long as you get out of his way.

 As we bid farewell to our beloved, let us celebrate the life of Jairus E. Anderson. He leaves to cherish his memory, mother, Elois Smith, (Omaha, NE); two sisters, Alecia Anderson (Omaha, NE) and Rhonda Taylor (Omaha, NE); one daughter, Whitney Anderson; his adopted son, Stevie Whiteside; two grandchildren, Melanie and Freddy Anderson; three nephews, Jeffrey Southall II(eldest), Bishop Southall, and Johnathan Taylor; three nieces, Courtney Southall, Natasha Southall, and Jessica Booth (Cornell); all of Omaha, Nebraska, one aunt, Barbara Rauls; one uncle, Wayne Wyatt; both of Waco, Texas, as well as a host of cousins, great-nieces, nephews and friends