In Memory of our Uncle Wayne Anderson
May 22, 1937 – January 6, 2018
Wayne was the middle sibling of Lee and Arvid Anderson, who together built Americana Indian shows, a family business that still operates today. It started around 1969 with Wayne, who lived in Arizona, sending Native American jewelry and rugs to his brother Lee in Virginia, who at the time was stationed at the Pentagon. Lee would sell the pieces at local coin shows and flea markets on the weekends and Wayne would in turn send him more. What started as a small flea-market enterprise grew to a large, first-class gallery that continues to travel the country today. The three brothers could never have imagined that a year spent at their uncle’s trading post in Sanders, Arizona in 1947 during their youth would inspire them in such a way that would have such a dramatic influence on so many people later in life.
The more they learned about southwest Native American culture, the more the brothers wanted to share this knowledge with others. Wayne had a great memory for the culture and history of the southwest and he loved to tell stories. His parents were teachers as were many past relatives, so it was natural that Wayne loved telling stories and educating folks about the history and arts of the southwest. A fascinating story Wayne told us with regard to our own family history is that our grandmother (his mom) was born in Cananea, Mexico. Her family fled to Arizona when Pancho Villa ran most of the American families out of northern Mexico. They settled in Morenci where she met Cecil Anderson. So in a strange twist of fate, the last few generations of Arizona Anderson’s owe their existence to Pancho Villa!
Wayne Anderson was born on May 22, 1937 in Morenci, Arizona to Cecil & Mildred Anderson. He grew up in Phoenix and attended the University of Arizona where he studied biology and wildlife management. After getting his degree, he began work as an officer with Arizona Game and Fish where he met his wife Connie. They moved to Flagstaff and raised two wonderful daughters – Dawn and Dana. Wayne worked his entire career with the Arizona Game & Fish department, where he was passionate about his work, as well as being a mentor and friend to many in the wildlife community. After retirement from Game and Fish, he was able to work full time with his brothers Lee and Arvid conducting Americana Indian Shows sales across the nation and running a gallery in Flagstaff, Arizona. Wayne passed away January 6, 2018 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He is survived by two beautiful children, his wife and best friend of 50 years and four grandchildren.
We miss you so much, Wayne. Rest in peace.
