Thomas "Tom" Walter Anderson

Thomas Walter Anderson, age 83, of rural Wann, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at his home on the 12th of April 2016. Tom was born on May 23, 1932 in Port Arthur, Texas, only child to Viola Margaret Brown Anderson and Walter Theodore Anderson. Tom received his education in the Port Arthur schools and after graduation, served in the US Air Force for four years where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and received an honorable discharge. On December 25, 1953, Tom married Harriet Belle Dobbs and they have three children. They and the children were later sealed together for time and all eternity in the Logan Utah Temple. His children and grandchildren honored Tom and Belle in later years with wonderful celebrations on their 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries. In 1960 Tom graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He then took a position with the US Army Corps of Engineers and enjoyed a 30-year career as a project manager before retiring in 1990. During his tenure with the Corps, he enjoyed working in the 37 counties of the Galveston District as flood control overseer and was design coordinator for many navigation and flood control projects along the Texas Gulf Coast. Upon his retirement Tom and Belle began restoring a 155 year old home that had washed down LaNana Creek in Nacogdoches, Texas. After 5 years in the piney woods of East Texas, they became ranchers in Northeast Oklahoma. He dearly loved his cattle, chickens, pets and garden. Tom’s lifelong hobbies were fishing, playing softball and pitching for various teams including the Army Corps of Engineers’ team in Galveston and sports of all kinds, especially tennis, ping pong and flag football. He grew and grafted pecan trees, kept a garden, enjoyed camping and loved to make wooden toys for his grandchildren. In his later years Tom enjoyed family history research, particularly of his Swedish ancestry. Tom was a noble patriarch who set a great example of Christ-like living. He loved family gatherings and was particularly pleased he was able to visit with all his posterity over the Christmas holidays as he travelled from Oklahoma to Utah, Nevada and Texas. Tom was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ. He loved serving in the Church and was a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Young Men’s President, Stake Missionary, Stake High Councilman, Stake Facilities Representative and Home Teacher. Tom and Belle also served 2 years as Ordinance Workers in the Dallas Texas Temple and in 2015 were called to serve in the Oklahoma City Temple where they served faithfully. Tom is survived by his wife of 62 years, Harriet Belle, sons Thor Anderson (Karen) of Las Vegas, NV, Eric Anderson (Lisa Paul) of Round Rock, Texas and daughter Kathryn Bean (Brian) of Bartlesville, eleven grandchildren, Brittney Goodwin (Bobby), Ashley Anderson, Colin Anderson (Jessa), Jordan Anderson (Irina), Tiffany Anderson (deceased), Skyler Anderson (Brin Connetta), Taylor Anderson, Emily Bean, Rachel Bean, Ethan Bean, Adam Bean and six great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Miles Anderson, Violet Anderson, Sewell and Randall Goodwin and Emma Bean. Special thanks to all the family, friends and neighbors whose love, service and prayers were a blessing to Tom as he completed his earthly journey. Funeral services are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, 1600 SE Washington Boulevard, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 507 Mulberry Street, Independence, Kansas with Zachery Milligan officiating. A viewing will also be held on Friday, April 15th from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville. A graveside service with military honors and final interment will be at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma at 10:00 AM, Monday April 18th.

Thomas "Tom" Walter Anderson

May 23, 1932 - April 12, 2016