Cecil Anderson

Funeral services for Cecil Anderson, 85 of Enid will be 11:00am, Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gene Ohls officiating and Harley Landrum assisting. Services are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. Gravesite services and burial will be in the Evangelical Free Church Cemetery in Kerkhoven, Minnesota, with Pastor Joshua officiating.

Cecil was born on the family farm, SE of Kerkhoven, Minnesota to Melvin Theodore Anderson and Doris Leona Nelson. He was the first born of four children. Cecil went to Beeson 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 Beeson, Minnesota, to take the bus to Minneapolis for his physical.

His basic training was done at Fort Chaffey, Arkansas. He was transferred to Fort Sill, OK 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. From there 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 discharge on his original date of January 22, 1959.

Cecil met the love of his life, Shirley D. Wyrick, at the A&W Drive In 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 is 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, with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made, memories shared and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.