Cecil E. Anderson

Funeral services for Cecil Anderson, 85 of Enid, were held in Enid on May 31st at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, June 5th at Evangelical Free Cemetery, rural Kerkhoven with Military Honors by American Legion Post #167.  Local arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home.  www.hafh.org

Cecil was born April 11, 1938, on the family farm, Southeast of Kerkhoven, to Melvin Theodore Anderson and Doris Leona Nelson. He was the first of four children. Cecil went to Benson to enlist in the Air Force but instead volunteered for the Army so a farmer with a wife, six children, and dairy farm wouldn’t have to be drafted and leave his family.  On January 21, 1957, his parents drove him to Benson, Minnesota, to take the bus to Minneapolis for his physical.

His basic training was at Fort Chaffey, AK and later transferred to Fort Sill, OK, in May of 1957. While stationed there, Cecil was trained and certified for all military artillery and other weapons. He started mechanic school May 2, 1958. He transferred to Fort Polk, LA and was put in motor school and became a full-time mechanic.

In May of 1958, Cecil became a 5-ton truck driver and transferred to Camp Leroy Johnson New Orleans, LA, and then he was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. He went through various states from California and up to Fort Lewis. On September 30, 1958, Cecil was sent back to Camp Leroy Johnson. With one month left before discharge, his service was extended due to war breaking out in Lebanon. His service was to be extended through the duration of the war. The war in Lebanon lasted six days, so he was able to be discharged on his original date of January 22, 1959.

Cecil met the love of his life, Shirley D. Wyrick, at the A&W in Duncan. Cecil was stationed at Fort Sill, in Lawton, soon to be transferred to Fort Polk, LA. He called Shirley and told her that if she would come and pick him-up they could go and get married. Shirley drove to Fort Sill, picked up Cecil, and they drove to Wichita Falls, and were married on May 3, 1958. He was a proud husband, father of four children, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was a member of the former Calvary Baptist Church of Enid for over 33 years.

Cecil is survived by his daughters, Debbie (Michael) Bray; Donna Dankert, both of Enid; son, John Anderson, of Topeka, KS; six grandchildren; Stefanie Cunningham, Manuel Rangel, Alicia Green, Anthony Rangel, Andrew Rangel (Lety), and Brianna Anderson; seven great-grandchildren; David Cunningham, Jonathan Cunningham, Isaac Cunningham, Samuel Cunningham, Ethan Rangel, Chastalynn Green, and Luke Rangel; siblings, Carolyn (Leonard) Wickeraad, Ron (Mary) Anderson and Nancy (Larry) Dwire; as well as a host of nieces and nephews along with great-nieces and great- nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Shirley, son, James Mark Anderson, and daughter-in-law, Cathy Anderson.

Memorial contributions in Cecil’s name may be made to the Evangelical Free Church Cemetery Fund, of Kerkhoven, MN.

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