Michael Keith Anderson, a devoted patriot, cherished family man, and beloved resident of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, in Hobart, Oklahoma. He was born on July 2, 1954, in Tegernsee, Germany, to Einar T. Anderson and Paula (Hill) Anderson, and his life was a testament to service, faith, and unwavering love for his family and country.
As the son of an Army family, Michael's early years were colored by a sense of adventure, living in Germany, Okinawa, Georgia, and finally settling in Clarion, Iowa. These experiences instilled in him resilience, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for camaraderie. A natural athlete, he lettered in baseball as a pitcher, famously quipping, “I wasn’t much of a hitter, but I had a mean fastball.” He extended his passion for sports by serving as a trainer for his school's football and basketball teams.
In 1973, Michael's life took a serendipitous turn at a Mason City bowling alley when he met the love of his life, Connie Marie Van Wyk. Their first date, a roller-skating adventure, became a family legend when Michael tripped, and Connie accidentally struck him on the head. With his trademark humor, he jokingly insisted that she “owed him a lifetime of care” for this “brain injury.” Their love blossomed into a remarkable fifty-year partnership, rich with laughter, loyalty, and joy in life’s simple moments—whether bowling, fishing, or sharing quiet conversations.
Driven by a profound sense of patriotism and a fascination with parachutes, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on October 20, 1976. For twenty years, he served as a parachute rigger, stationed across the U.S. at bases including Abilene, Texas; Minot, North Dakota; Blytheville, Arkansas; and ultimately Altus, Oklahoma. He took immense pride in ensuring that every piece of survival gear met exacting standards, thereby safeguarding the lives of his fellow airmen. His dedication and meticulousness earned him the rank of Tech Sergeant (E6), a testament to his commitment to his country. Even after his retirement on November 1, 1996, he continued to serve through civil service at Altus Air Force Base for another twenty years, contributing to numerous projects and operations.
Michael was not only a soldier but also a man of deep faith. Raised in the Lutheran Church, his spirituality was a cornerstone of his life. He began each day with Bible study and dedicated much of his time to selfless acts of kindness. He quietly served local soup kitchens, supported missions, and lent tools or helped neighbors in need, always ready to lend a hand. Though he appreciated solitude, he thrived in conversation, offering wisdom and comfort to all who sought it.
Michael's greatest pride was his family. He adored his wife, Connie; their son, Garrett Anderson; and their daughter, Annita, and her husband, Kenneth Ladd. He was a devoted grandfather to Tishona, Kryslyn, Elysha, Gabriel, Luke, Grace, and Mark E Ladd, and a loving great-grandfather to Athena, Sylas, Aydin, and Asher. He showered his family with love, wisdom, and humor, imparting the values he lived by and teaching them the beauty of life through fishing, leatherworking, and shared hobbies. A lifelong learner, he cherished passing on his skills, whether teaching a grandchild to cast a reel or creating handmade treasures for them.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, but he leaves behind a legacy of integrity, service, and quiet strength. He will be remembered fondly by his loving family, friends, and the community he enriched with his generosity. Though he has left this earthly journey, Michael Keith Anderson's spirit lives on in the laughter of his great-grandchildren, the whir of a fishing reel at dawn, and the countless lives he uplifted.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Lowell Tim’s Funeral Home Chapel, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Services have been entrusted to Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
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Memorial
10
May
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
