Melvin Belton “Andy” Anderson, Jr.

Melvin Belton “Andy” Anderson, Jr., 89, of High Springs, Florida, passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2016.

Mr. Anderson was born Aug. 26, 1926 in Pinellas County, Florida, to Melvin and Jessie Anderson. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Andy moved to High Springs, Florida, and in 1951 was hired by Atlantic Coastline as an engineer. He moved to Wakulla County, Florida, after transferring to CSX in Tallahassee in 1971. He then moved back to High Springs in 2000. Mr. Anderson enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in High Springs.

He is survived by his daughters, Mary K. Anderson of High Springs, Jean Fairley of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Susanne Lankford of Elizabeth City, North Carolina; grandchildren, Frank Williams, Rory Williams, Anderson Fairley, Jessie Fairley, Heather Noon and Jimmy Lankford; 13 great grandchildren; brother, Monroe Anderson of Kodak, Tennessee; sisters, Ethel Gainey of Daytona Beach, Florida, and Anne Salsbury of Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife Katy Anderson; daughter Nancy Anderson; and granddaughter Kendra Stone.

The family extends a special thank you to his caretakers, Melissa Pickeren, Melissa King, Sasha Matthews and Lynette Kraemer.

Rory Williams, grandson of MB Anderson: Papa, as we all knew him, could be as gruff as an old he-coon but everyone knew he would do anything under the sun for one of his family or friends. One could depend on him for a solution if ever there was a problem or necessity. There seemed to be no end to what he could fix, build or grow. Papa taught me, personally, by his example, to love by giving and enjoy life regardless of the burdens that must be carried. His stories of life in Florida as a boy, the South Pacific during WWII, driving to Oklahoma (before interstate highways) in a model T Ford to get the lady he loved, hunting trips to Colorado and of numerous other events on the railroad always enthralled me. However, I’ll miss sitting with him talking and eating boiled peanuts, probably the most.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90^th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.

Funeral services will be held at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, 24315 NW C.R. 1493, Lacrosse, Florida 32658, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 at 11 a.m., with Otis Evans officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements have been placed under the care of Rick Gooding Funeral Homes, Chiefland, FL, 352-493-0050 and Cross City, FL, 352-498-5400.