Simon "Kendall" Anderson, 94, of Bellingham passed away September 4, 2015, at Mt. Baker Care Center, sharing a room with his wife, Nora.
Born in Sedro Woolley, Washington to Simon Andreas and Nelle Anderson, Ken had two older sisters, Virginia Nichols and Jeanne Hedington; and a younger sister, Shirley (Kaye) DeMers, all of whom preceded him in death.
An adventurer, he garnered a spot as mess boy in 1936 on the five-masted schooner Vigilant on her last voyage to Hawaii carrying a load of lumber. Later he'd work at Puget Sound Pulp & Paper and for Sim's Drake Construction at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, planning on becoming an electrician, but joined the war effort in the Army Air Corps.
He remained in the Air Force for 22 years, flying every type of aircraft under the sun as a fighter pilot. He downed two MIGs in Korea and despite flying newer models of jets, the F-86 Sabre was his favorite plane. In 1958, with two other pilots and 70 airmen, he was interned in Iraq for several months after a coup d'etat.
From February 1966 until the end of the Vietnam Conflict he flew a Pilatus Porter in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos for Air America. Taking a shot in the fuel tank in Laos he landed the Porter, plugged the leak and returned to his home base.
An avid salmon fisherman, he bought a commercial troller, the Laverne II, in 1973 and began fishing off the coast of Washington with Nora, and in 1974 they began fishing Southeast Alaska mooring the boat in their home town, Bellingham, in the winter.
When Ken finally retired he kept busy at home on East Bakerview Road where he planted a big garden and enjoyed growing dahlias. He was active with VFW Post 1585.
He and Nora traveled in their truck with trailer to camp in many favorite places with his sister Virginia, brother-in-law Nick and friends. After macular degeneration took away most of his eyesight he appreciated listening to books from Washington Talking Books and got outside to walk often.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Nora; and three children: Simon B. Anderson, of Bellingham, Christine Kendall (Jack Kienast), of Twisp, WA, and Sean K. Anderson, of Pocatello, ID.
While he loved all his relatives, some brightened his last years with frequent visits, cousins, Don and Larry Anderson, and niece, Judy Moldver.
He was frustrated by not being able to see or hear well in later years, but was a devoted Seahawks and football fan nevertheless. If there is any lesson from Ken's life it's to do the things you love to do with those you love. Ken enjoyed having big family reunions and we're sure he's in the middle of one now.
His self-published biography, "From Jib Boom to Sonic Boom", is available at Bellingham Public Library.
In lieu of flowers, bequests may be made to Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave. Seattle, WA 98121, or [email protected] or call (360) 902-4171.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
Born in Sedro Woolley, Washington to Simon Andreas and Nelle Anderson, Ken had two older sisters, Virginia Nichols and Jeanne Hedington; and a younger sister, Shirley (Kaye) DeMers, all of whom preceded him in death.
An adventurer, he garnered a spot as mess boy in 1936 on the five-masted schooner Vigilant on her last voyage to Hawaii carrying a load of lumber. Later he'd work at Puget Sound Pulp & Paper and for Sim's Drake Construction at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, planning on becoming an electrician, but joined the war effort in the Army Air Corps.
He remained in the Air Force for 22 years, flying every type of aircraft under the sun as a fighter pilot. He downed two MIGs in Korea and despite flying newer models of jets, the F-86 Sabre was his favorite plane. In 1958, with two other pilots and 70 airmen, he was interned in Iraq for several months after a coup d'etat.
From February 1966 until the end of the Vietnam Conflict he flew a Pilatus Porter in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos for Air America. Taking a shot in the fuel tank in Laos he landed the Porter, plugged the leak and returned to his home base.
An avid salmon fisherman, he bought a commercial troller, the Laverne II, in 1973 and began fishing off the coast of Washington with Nora, and in 1974 they began fishing Southeast Alaska mooring the boat in their home town, Bellingham, in the winter.
When Ken finally retired he kept busy at home on East Bakerview Road where he planted a big garden and enjoyed growing dahlias. He was active with VFW Post 1585.
He and Nora traveled in their truck with trailer to camp in many favorite places with his sister Virginia, brother-in-law Nick and friends. After macular degeneration took away most of his eyesight he appreciated listening to books from Washington Talking Books and got outside to walk often.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Nora; and three children: Simon B. Anderson, of Bellingham, Christine Kendall (Jack Kienast), of Twisp, WA, and Sean K. Anderson, of Pocatello, ID.
While he loved all his relatives, some brightened his last years with frequent visits, cousins, Don and Larry Anderson, and niece, Judy Moldver.
He was frustrated by not being able to see or hear well in later years, but was a devoted Seahawks and football fan nevertheless. If there is any lesson from Ken's life it's to do the things you love to do with those you love. Ken enjoyed having big family reunions and we're sure he's in the middle of one now.
His self-published biography, "From Jib Boom to Sonic Boom", is available at Bellingham Public Library.
In lieu of flowers, bequests may be made to Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave. Seattle, WA 98121, or [email protected] or call (360) 902-4171.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
Simon "Kendall" Anderson, 94, of Bellingham passed away September 4, 2015, at Mt. Baker Care Center, sharing a room with his wife, Nora.
Born in Sedro Woolley, Washington to Simon Andreas and Nelle Anderson, Ken had two older sisters, Virginia Nichols and Jeanne Hedington; and a younger sister, Shirley (Kaye) DeMers, all of whom preceded him in death.
An adventurer, he garnered a spot as mess boy in 1936 on the five-masted schooner Vigilant on her last voyage to Hawaii carrying a load of lumber. Later he'd work at Puget Sound Pulp & Paper and for Sim's Drake Construction at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, planning on becoming an electrician, but joined the war effort in the Army Air Corps.
He remained in the Air Force for 22 years, flying every type of aircraft under the sun as a fighter pilot. He downed two MIGs in Korea and despite flying newer models of jets, the F-86 Sabre was his favorite plane. In 1958, with two other pilots and 70 airmen, he was interned in Iraq for several months after a coup d'etat.
From February 1966 until the end of the Vietnam Conflict he flew a Pilatus Porter in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos for Air America. Taking a shot in the fuel tank in Laos he landed the Porter, plugged the leak and returned to his home base.
An avid salmon fisherman, he bought a commercial troller, the Laverne II, in 1973 and began fishing off the coast of Washington with Nora, and in 1974 they began fishing Southeast Alaska mooring the boat in their home town, Bellingham, in the winter.
When Ken finally retired he kept busy at home on East Bakerview Road where he planted a big garden and enjoyed growing dahlias. He was active with VFW Post 1585.
He and Nora traveled in their truck with trailer to camp in many favorite places with his sister Virginia, brother-in-law Nick and friends. After macular degeneration took away most of his eyesight he appreciated listening to books from Washington Talking Books and got outside to walk often.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Nora; and three children: Simon B. Anderson, of Bellingham, Christine Kendall (Jack Kienast), of Twisp, WA, and Sean K. Anderson, of Pocatello, ID.
While he loved all his relatives, some brightened his last years with frequent visits, cousins, Don and Larry Anderson, and niece, Judy Moldver.
He was frustrated by not being able to see or hear well in later years, but was a devoted Seahawks and football fan nevertheless. If there is any lesson from Ken's life it's to do the things you love to do with those you love. Ken enjoyed having big family reunions and we're sure he's in the middle of one now.
His self-published biography, "From Jib Boom to Sonic Boom", is available at Bellingham Public Library.
In lieu of flowers, bequests may be made to Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave. Seattle, WA 98121, or [email protected] or call (360) 902-4171.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
Born in Sedro Woolley, Washington to Simon Andreas and Nelle Anderson, Ken had two older sisters, Virginia Nichols and Jeanne Hedington; and a younger sister, Shirley (Kaye) DeMers, all of whom preceded him in death.
An adventurer, he garnered a spot as mess boy in 1936 on the five-masted schooner Vigilant on her last voyage to Hawaii carrying a load of lumber. Later he'd work at Puget Sound Pulp & Paper and for Sim's Drake Construction at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, planning on becoming an electrician, but joined the war effort in the Army Air Corps.
He remained in the Air Force for 22 years, flying every type of aircraft under the sun as a fighter pilot. He downed two MIGs in Korea and despite flying newer models of jets, the F-86 Sabre was his favorite plane. In 1958, with two other pilots and 70 airmen, he was interned in Iraq for several months after a coup d'etat.
From February 1966 until the end of the Vietnam Conflict he flew a Pilatus Porter in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos for Air America. Taking a shot in the fuel tank in Laos he landed the Porter, plugged the leak and returned to his home base.
An avid salmon fisherman, he bought a commercial troller, the Laverne II, in 1973 and began fishing off the coast of Washington with Nora, and in 1974 they began fishing Southeast Alaska mooring the boat in their home town, Bellingham, in the winter.
When Ken finally retired he kept busy at home on East Bakerview Road where he planted a big garden and enjoyed growing dahlias. He was active with VFW Post 1585.
He and Nora traveled in their truck with trailer to camp in many favorite places with his sister Virginia, brother-in-law Nick and friends. After macular degeneration took away most of his eyesight he appreciated listening to books from Washington Talking Books and got outside to walk often.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Nora; and three children: Simon B. Anderson, of Bellingham, Christine Kendall (Jack Kienast), of Twisp, WA, and Sean K. Anderson, of Pocatello, ID.
While he loved all his relatives, some brightened his last years with frequent visits, cousins, Don and Larry Anderson, and niece, Judy Moldver.
He was frustrated by not being able to see or hear well in later years, but was a devoted Seahawks and football fan nevertheless. If there is any lesson from Ken's life it's to do the things you love to do with those you love. Ken enjoyed having big family reunions and we're sure he's in the middle of one now.
His self-published biography, "From Jib Boom to Sonic Boom", is available at Bellingham Public Library.
In lieu of flowers, bequests may be made to Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave. Seattle, WA 98121, or [email protected] or call (360) 902-4171.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
Bio by: Barb
Inscription
LT COL US AIR FORCE
WWII KOREA VIETNAM
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
AIR MEDAL
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
