Alfred Clarence "Andy" Anderson, 87, was born February 12, 1924 to John C. and Veral O. (Williams) Anderson in Dewey, OK. He passed away Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Muskogee, OK surrounded by family. Andy was raised in Dewey and graduated from Dewey High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. On September 8, 1945 he married his wife of 65 years, the love of his life, Gloria Hoffman of Bartlesville, OK. They were married in Independence, KS, and their marriage was blessed with five children. In 1947 Gloria and Andy moved their home to Muskogee, OK. Many people remember "Andy the Mailman" from his 35 years of service with the Muskogee post office as a letter carrier on his Honor Heights Route. Others may recall "Andy the Bus Driver" from 19 years of shuttling children to and from school with the Muskogee Public School System. Andy was an exceptional employee, and won many awards for the work that he did with the Postal Service and the School System. He spent many years leading Sunday service at Pleasant Valley Nursing Center and other nursing centers in Muskogee. He was also an Eagle Scout and tried to teach others all that he could. Andy enjoyed sports and umpired or refereed countless basketball, football, baseball, and softball games. Anyone that knew him, knew him as one of the nicest people they could have met. He never had an unkind word to speak and the worst phrase he was ever heard to say was "For Crying Out Loud!" Andy is preceded in death by his parents, two daughters; Sandy Anderson, and Diana Arnold, three brothers; Leonard, Everett, and Albert Wayne Anderson, and one daughter-in-law; Teresa Anderson. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Gloria of the home, one sister; Faye Samps and husband Bob of Ochellata, three children; Larry Anderson and wife Wanda of Ft. Gibson, Cliff Anderson of Tulsa, and Kyla Salmon and husband Richard of Muskogee, three sisters-in-law Sue Powers and husband Bob, Rita Evans, and Pat Sisney, nine grandchildren; Maresa Barrett, Darrin Arnold and wife Jennifer, Minda Kay, Ron Anderson and wife Sharron, David Anderson and wife Julie, Kimberly Esque and husband Mike, Katie Butcher and husband Michael, Dustin Salmon and wife Nicci, and Whitney Rankin and husband Charley, 19 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. A celebration of life has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2011 at Bradley Belltower Chapel in Muskogee. Interment will follow at Greenhill cemetery with Reverend J.T. Carvell officiating. The family has entrusted Bradley Family Funeral Service of Muskogee with the arrangements.
(Muskogee Phoenix, May 5, 2011)