Roy Henry Anderson

Roy Henry Anderson was born on February 9, 1937, in Mentone, California. He was the youngest of four children born to Roy Byron and Arethusa Belle (Allen) Anderson. Roy grew up in the Redlands and Yucaipa area at the foothills of the San  Bernardino mountains in southern California.

His family and friends knew him as “Butch”, a nickname given to him by his grandfather at birth.

Roy graduated from Redlands High School in 1954 and from San Bernardino Valley College in 1957. As a member of the US Naval Reserve, he served on Active Duty from May 1957 through February 1960. His reserve obligation was from October 1954 through October 1962. While on active duty he attended Radar Class A school and served as a radarman aboard the USS Cabildo until released in 1960.

He became engaged to his high school sweetheart in July 1959 and married  Florence Irene Millard on June 26, 1960. After their honeymoon, they moved to Chico, California where Roy attended Chico State College for one semester. They then moved back to southern California where Roy worked in his brother Mike’s restaurant. He then worked for Dohrmann Hotel and Restaurant Supply Company. During this time Roy and Florence had two children, Laura Christine, in 1962, and Jonathan Henry in 1965. They lived in Riverside, Palm Springs, and San Diego.

 In the fall of 1970, Roy enrolled in what was then known as San Diego State College and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Industrial Arts in June of 1973. He was then selected for the position of Manual Arts Therapist with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marion, Indiana. In 1975, he was selected and transferred to the VA Medical Center in Waco, Texas where he remained until his retirement in January of 1997 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, working with disabled veterans to help them become employable.

 Roy and Florence enjoyed traveling to visit family members on road trips to Florida, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, California, and Idaho.

Roy loved yard work and landscaping as well as reading all varieties of novels, especially historical fiction.

Roy and Florence always placed their Christian faith and involvement in the Church as their top priority. They served as youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, choir members, council members, home visitation ministers, readers, funeral fellowship hosts, and Pair of Hearts couples group, for over four decades at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Waco, TX.

In the summer of 2023, they moved to Post Falls, ID. They currently reside at The Village at Orchard Ridge where they have enjoyed wonderful, loving, and faith-filled care and were involved in several activities. They joined and attended Peace Lutheran Church and were involved in the Wednesday Bible Study group.

Roy entered into glory on Monday, August 26th, 2024 after battling multiple physical and cognitive challenges.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mike Anderson. 

He is survived by his brother Ben Anderson of Gold River, CA; sister Pat Cole of Cedar Park, TX; his wife of 64 years, Florence; daughter Laura & husband David Kelly of Pflugerville, TX; son Jon & wife Chris Anderson of Post Falls, ID; five grandchildren: Niall and wife Lauren Kelly of Fairfax, VA; Erin Kelly & husband Joe Paulissen of San Antonio, TX; Joshua Anderson of Reno, NV; Rebekah Anderson of Medford, OR; Noah and wife Vanessa Anderson of Playa Vista, California; and two great-grandchildren: Luke and Benjamin Kelly of Fairfax, VA, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Roy will be held Saturday, August 31st, 2024 at 10:30 am at: Peace Lutheran Church

8134 N. Meyer Road Post Falls, ID 83854on Saturday, August 31st, 2024 at 10:30 am.

A Veteran's burial service will take place at Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Lutherhaven Bible Camp

3258 West Lutherhaven Road Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

lutherhaven.com