Jack Kent Anderson

Jack Kent Anderson had the dream he would pass away while seated in his recliner chair watching his beloved Colorado Buffaloes in a winning gridiron effort. That was fantasy. He was 90 years of age when he departed peacefully on December 2nd, in his apartment in his favorite recliner with his daughter by his side.

Jack was born in Indianapolis and became a Colorado resident at age three when the family moved to Colorado Springs. The family moved to Lakewood in 1943. His career at Lakewood High school included strong athletic accomplishments in three sports including an all state selection as captain of Lakewood's only state championship basketball team. He was an honor student and earned a scholastic scholarship to college which he cashed in at Boulder. To top off high school he had the lead role in the school play of Lost Horizons. During his high school tenure he was a scribe for the Denver Post covering the Suburban League in football and basketball, reporting team results on information collected after playing each week, then writing the results for publication.

Entering college at CU Boulder he pursued undergraduate studies in political science. His varsity basketball career was only a few minutes in its entirety but he did become the ace of the Buff pitching staff on the baseball team, earning two athletic letters before turning pro. After his junior year, he elected to forego his last year of eligibility and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He spent four days with the major league team before going to Philly to sign his contract in the offices of the team president Robert Carpenter. While with the team he was privileged to share hotel room with Jim Konstanty who was the National Leagues MVP the year before. Jacks first summer was with Salina in the Western Assn. At the conclusion of the summer baseball season, he entered law school at CU and for the next three years he played baseball in the minor leagues in the summer time while pursuing the academic year in school, which kept him out of the military draft. Once law school was completed and the bar passed, it was off to the United States Marine Corps. After a brief stay at headquarters in Washington D.C. he was sent to Quantico, VA for officer candidate school followed by extended infantry training. Once completed the rookie lieutenant drew his first duty station with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro, California. Here he remained as a legal officer for the three years of his enlistment. His basic duty was prosecuting general court martials but he found time to pitch for the base baseball team.
Returning to civilian life, he obtained appointment as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado. During his two year tenure, he prosecuted a multitude of criminal cases including some lengthy fraud violations. With the election of democrat John Kennedy as President, a change in career was in order as the USADA position was a political appointment. His first taste of private practice was with Wood, Ris and Hames and two years later he joined the firm of Wormwood, Odell and Wolvington, with which he remained for thirty years, retiring as the senior partner. At time of his retirement, the firm name was Anderson, Campbell & Laugesen.
In 1972 by constitutional amendment, the Board of Regents of the University of Colorado was expanded from six to nine members. Three new members were appointed by then Governor Love with Anderson getting the six year term. In 1978 he successfully ran for a second term. He was always a strong supporter of the Athletic Department and instrumental in installing what he called Colorado Blue in all athletic uniforms. The color lasted for three years until Coach Bill McCartney reinstalled black. Jack was an avid lifetime golfer, achieving single digit handicaps for most of his career. He was a thirty plus year member of the Rolling Hills Country Club. His greatest claim to fame was an eagle three on the par five eighteenth hole during club championships.

Jacks unfulfilled bucket list includes never have played in the major leagues, never have argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, and never having the chance to mow Coors Field.

He is survived by his former wife Carole Anderson, his significant other of many years Frances Baysdorfer, daughters Krista Gordon (J), Amy Halm, Suzi Heap (John) and Jennifer Anderson-Campbell (Bob) as well as grandchildren Blair and Lyndsay Gordon, Travis and Kyle Slavin and Lauren and Liza Heap.The family will have a Celebration of Life when hugging is permitted.