Ronald Hollan Anderson

Ronald Hollan Anderson, (Buzz, Pawpaw, Grandpa) 81, died on July 25, 2021, after a long battle with a rare form of bone marrow cancer. Ron was born on February 6, 1940, to F.H. and Pauline Anderson in Vincennes, Indiana. The family moved to Texas and settled in Ballinger, where Ron grew up and graduated from Ballinger High School. He joined the U.S. Army in 1961 and served his country until 1967. He was stationed in Alaska and Korea, where he was a teletype operator and Korean Linguist. He was proud to be a veteran and often gave positive examples of his time in the army. When Ron left the army, he came to San Angelo, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. In 1975, he graduated from Angelo State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Psychology. While he was going to ASU he worked as a truck driver and then a car salesman at Mustang Chevrolet. He went into business, forming Ron Anderson Company, contracting with the Texas Highway Department to mow the state right-of-ways. He was very conscientious in anything he did, always going above and beyond what was required, and was a fair and compassionate employer. He strived to help people who were down on their luck, and in turn, gained a number of loyal workers and lifelong friends. When he retired from the mowing business, he didn’t stay retired for very long, he drove school and city buses and finished his life of employment at Goodyear Proving Grounds, working in the parts department. We know that he would still be working if he had not become ill—he enjoyed working because he enjoyed being around people and made so many good friends along the way. In 1985 Ron met his wife, Jana, at a country music dance class and they danced their way through many of their 36 years of marriage. In addition to country music, he had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles. He and Jana made many trips on the Harley to Ruidoso, Austin, Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee (home of H-D), just to name a few. He also loved classic cars, tractors, and most of all, his grandchildren. He was so happy to see all of them, and in his last few years he was constantly frustrated that he could no longer take them on rides on the tractor, motorcycle and Polaris. He could, however, continue to instill in them a respect for hard work, education, and the value of being kind and generous to other people. He always tried to be a good man and a loyal friend and above all, valued those traits in other people. He also enjoyed spending time with his three brothers going to auctions, sales and shopping on Christmas Eve to find the “best bargains”. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, and his sons, Ernest Hollan Anderson and Christopher Clay Anderson, his grandson Joshua RJ Anderson, and great-grandson, Joshua Bradley Anderson, brothers-in-law Jeff Butts and Jay Butts. He is survived by his wife, Jana, his son Ronald Edward Anderson and wife Denise, brothers Elton Anderson and wife Carolyn, Raymond Anderson and wife Shirley, Dale Anderson and wife Shirley Ann, sister-in-law Judy Ertman and husband Jerry, brothers-in-law Jerry Butts and wife Tammi, and Kevin Butts and wife Carrie. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Trey Anderson and wife Krystal, Beverly Anderson, Joe Anderson and wife Eva, Nikki Maiden and husband Brian, and great-grandchildren Leah, Emma and Noah, Canyon, Eddie and Wyatt, Landon and Copelyn. Services will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Lake View Bible Church, 4825 Grape Creek Rd. There will be a luncheon at 11:30, Funeral Service at 1:00, followed by burial at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made to Meals for the Elderly, the San Angelo Area Foundation (San Angelo Kiwanis Endowment Fund), West Texas Counseling and Guidance, or a charity of your choice. Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com