A celebration of the life of Ron Anderson will be Saturday, May 30th, 11 am at Cornerstone Church. Ron reached out to take the hand of God and was lead home, on April 24th at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
Ron was born on February 3, 1933 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to Colbert l. Anderson and Ruth Steffenson Anderson. He was later joined by 3 sister's, losing one at the age of 3. The family later moved to Madison where Ron went to elementary school. In 1946 the Anderson family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Here Ron graduated from high school and attended Jr. College , before transferring to the U of A in Tucson. He received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Nancy Burleson and they were blessed with 4 wonderful children; Dale, Ronnah, Leah and David. They later divorced. After graduating from the U of A, Ron went to work for Shell Oil Company in Long Beach, California for a year. He and his family returned to Tucson where Ron went to work for Hughes Aircraft, he was with the company for 33 years, working in the defense department. He took early retirement with the title of Senior Scientist at the age of 56.
While working at Hughes he received a Master's Degree in Optical Sciences. He also created some patents for the company.
In 1977 he married Patricia (Pat) Smith and her 4 children: Ken, Sherie, Debbie, and Steve. He was a wonderful, loving, proud father to all "8" of his children. In 1995 he and Pat moved to Sheridan, Pat's family home, where they enjoyed a more peaceful, slower pace of living. Ron enjoyed the seasons after living in Arizona for so many years, even removing the snow after a storm.
Ron greatest joys were spending time with his love Pat, as they shared 38 wonderful years together. They golfed, traveled to visit family in many areas of the country and Canada as they created many happy memories together. Always when with the family there was an exciting card game of "Hossy" going on, providing a lot of laughter and fun. Church was important to Ron his entire life, he was always very active serving in many different areas, especially in the choirs. He was raised in the Lutheran Church and did belong to Trinity Lutheran before attending Cornerstone. His faith continued to grow deeper every year. Other special times were spent golfing with the "Outlaws", his Tuesday morning Bible Study group that has been together for 15 years or so, being with friends, camping in the Big Horns with grandchildren.
Always enjoying life, after starting to attend Cornerstone Church, Ron learned of Celebrate Recovery that was going to begin at Cornerstone. He knew immediately this is where God wanted him to be. CR is a Christ Centered 12 Step Recovery Program for the healing of Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups. Ron had a Leadership role in training, leading Step Study Groups and a Small Group on Friday evenings. CR was so important to him, as were all the people that attended, especially the young men that were in his study groups. Ron gave love and respect to all he met. He always had a smile and a hug for everyone.
Ron is survived his loving wife Pat, his children, Dale (Chris) Anderson, Tucson, Leah (Britt) Anderson, Ontario, Canada, Ken (Ronda)Smith, Tucson, Sherie (Ron) Mondt, Evans Co., Debbie (Pat Murphy) Halpine, Grand Junction, Co., and Steve Smith, Tucson. His sisters, "Mitzy" Anderson, EI Cajon,Ca, and Yjordis (Allan) Frostrom, San Diego, Ca., 13 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 2 nephews, brother-law Rich(Janet) Stevens, sister-in-law Diana Stevens, Aunts and Uncles, many cousins including special cousin, Karen (Tom) Bailey. Those that went before Ron were his parents, Ruth and Colbert, his baby sister Sonja, his son David and daughter Ronnah.
Ron was loved and will be missed deeply by family and friends and all that knew him.
Memorial gifts in Ron's name may be given to Celebrate Recovery in care of Cornerstone Church; 4351 Big Horn Ave., Sheridan, WY., 82801.
Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with Champion Funeral Home.