Ronald “Andy” Anderson, 72, passed away July 18 on NAS Meridian in Mississippi.

Andy was born May 2, 1945, in Andalusia, AL to Homer and Alberta (Briggs) Anderson.  He joined the Air Force in 1966 and retired after twenty years of faithful and honorable service including during the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he continued a twenty-six year career as a civil service employee at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He was a lifetime member of The American Legion. He married Deborah Pendley on March 20, 1976 and they spent the first ten years as a military family, including living overseas for a time, until his retirement to Folsom, South Dakota.

Andy’s family and friends were the highlight of his life, especially his grandchildren.  He always had a smile and a kind word to offer.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors and loved nature.  He was quick with a joke and offered the best advice.  He truly had a kind soul.

Andy is survived by his daughter Debbie (Tim) Young of Woolwich, ME; his daughter Melissa Whitney of Rapid City, SD; his son Ronald, Jr (Stephanie) Anderson of Meridian, MS; his sister Christine (Gary) Cole of Excel, AL; his brother Stewart Anderson of Andalusia, AL; and five grandchildren, Tyler Young of Woolwich, ME, Delaney Young of Woolwich, ME, Allena Anderson of Meridian, MS, Spencer Anderson of Meridian, MS, and James Sistak of Rapid City, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Alberta Anderson, his wife, Deborah Anderson, and his brother, Steve Anderson.