Gerald Anderson
Gerald “Jerry” Alvin Anderson, 93, was born on April 17, 1930, in Keene, N.D., the sixth child of Anton and Thea (Berget) Anderson. He attended a one room country schoolhouse through eighth grade, then boarded with his cousin in the town of Watford City so he could attend Watford City High School.
After graduation, Jerry joined the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) as a lineman, supplying power to the countryside - at that time, most rural people in North Dakota lived without electricity. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was sent overseas to Korea. When Jerry returned to the U.S., he was assigned to the Harlingen Air Force Base in Harlingen, Texas, to complete his tour of duty. There, he met 20-year-old Texan Jackie McCraw, who was employed by the Cadet Military Training School. He wooed her with his Midwestern charm and soon they were engaged!
Jerry and Jackie married Sept. 9, 1955, and moved to Austin, Texas. It was the start of Jerry’s lifelong love for the Texas Hill Country and of course, The University of Texas Longhorns. In 1962, they welcomed son Jeff, and in 1967, daughter Jill.
Jerry worked as a Field Engineer at IBM for 31 years, but spent his weekends and spare time woodworking, boating, camping, tending his meticulous lawn (he mowed a ¾ acre lawn until he was 92), and caring for family and friends. He embraced hard work and cold beers. He was always up for a good time, a good laugh, and claimed he “never met a Charlie he didn’t like.” There wasn’t much he couldn’t build or fix, but he humbly gave all creative credit to others. He was also very proud of his North Dakota Norwegian roots - he made annual drives from Texas to North Dakota for many years while his mother was living, and became the self-appointed linchpin for family communications, often calling to check in on his many nieces and nephews.
In 2006, he and Jackie moved to Weatherford, Texas, and embraced many activities involving their grandkids, including supporting the Aledo Bearcat football team. They became active in Fort Worth’s First United Methodist Church as well as the Weatherford First Methodist Church and were blessed with great neighbors and friends. Along the way, they enjoyed many travels including seven cruises, and trips to Hawaii, Alaska and Europe. In October, they traded their Weatherford home - and large lawn - for a simpler life in the Harvest of Aledo senior living community.
Lovingly called Poppa DD (a nickname coined by his first granddaughter), Jerry had 5 grandkids and 1 great-granddaughter, all of whom he was immensely proud. While he jokingly claimed he “couldn’t read” to get out of babysitting duties when they were younger, he was nevertheless an attentive grandfather who took great joy in his grandkids’ accomplishments.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jackie; his son, Jeff (Kyra) Anderson of Aledo, Texas; his daughter, Jill (John) Fix of Wilmette, Ill.; his five grandchildren, Riley (Ross) Williams of Aledo, Texas, Reid (fiancé Adrienne) Anderson of Fort Worth, Texas, Caroline, Cassie and Kyle Fix of Wilmette, Illinois, and one great- granddaughter, Poppy Williams of Aledo, Texas; his sister-in-law, Wanda Reoh of Raymondville, Texas; and 14 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Thea Anderson; his siblings, Margaret Rice, Lucille Helseth, Phyllis Ufer, Alice Olsen, and Melvin Anderson; his brothers-in-law, John Rice, Lloyd Helseth, Carl Ufer, Ludvig Olsen, Bill McCraw and George C. Reoh; and his sister-in-law, Ellen Anderson.
A memorial service honoring Jerry’s life will be held Thursday, Oct.5, at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist Church of Weatherford, 301 South Main Street, Weatherford, Texas. The service can be streamed via www.fmcw.org/funeral. A reception with refreshments will follow. Memorials may be given to the First Methodist Church of Weatherford or a charity of your own choosing.