Don Anderson

On March 28, 1937, Donald (Don) Andrew Anderson was born to Robert E. and Rosa Anderson in Elmore City, Oklahoma. He died August 23, 2019 in his home surrounded by the family he loved. Don was one of eleven siblings and spent his childhood in Pernell, Oklahoma. He graduated from Pernell High School in May of 1956, enlisting in the United States Air Force in June of that year. 

Don received his BA and ME degrees from Central State College. He later earned his Education Administration Certificate from the University of Oklahoma. Don was both a teacher and principal in the Tecumseh Public Schools for twenty years before his retirement in 1991. As a dedicated educator, he encouraged students to excel in every area of life, and his work shaped the lives of hundreds of children, whose hearts he touched. Don retired from the Air National Guard in 1992. 

Don lived a life of devotion to God. For twenty-nine years, he was a member of the Highland Church of Christ in Tecumseh, serving that congregation as a deacon. He later joined the New Hope Church of Christ in Edmond, where he enjoyed being a greeter and an usher. 

After his retirement from public service, Don enjoyed golfing with friends and family, fishing in Oklahoma lakes, and traveling with Susan. He cherished time spent being Papaw to his grandchildren and made time with them a priority. He was always at their various sports activities and school programs to celebrate and cheer them on. Papaw was there to celebrate all of their milestones and accomplishments. He bequeathed them a legacy of love in action. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert (Dalton) Anderson and David Anderson and sisters, Marie Oller, Norma Temple, and Beth Frizzell.

Don is survived by his wife Susan (North) Anderson of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Terri and Don Smith of Edmond, and Sherri and Bill Hale of Oklahoma City; two

sons and daughters-in-law; Chad and Stefanie Anderson of Ponca City and Travis and Janna Montgomery of Edmond; eight grandchildren, Jensen Kapchinske and husband Andy, Hannah Hale, Will Hale and wife Fransheska, Jaci Smith, Nicholas Hale, Nathan Anderson, Sam Anderson and Chloe Anderson; great granddaughter, Elizabeth Hale; brothers, Clois Anderson of Foster and Larry Anderson and wife Libby of Pernell; sisters, Wilma Smith and husband Jack of Kingston, Becky Durham and husband Jerry of Oklahoma City, Edwina Moydell and husband Dale of Sulpher; three brothers-in-law, Jim North and wife Dee of Pueblo, Colorado, Joe North and wife Kay of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and Ray North and wife Vickie of Seminole. They’re all going to love him forever.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 26, 2019 and continue through service time.  Service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at Highland Church of Christ in Tecumseh with Rusty Anderson and Brett McKnight officiating. Burial will follow at Foster Cemetery in Foster, OK under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.