Eldon Edward Anderson

He was a man of many words (he loved to talk). A man of true integrity.

This is his story:

Eldon Edward "Andy" Anderson was born May 28, 1932 to Danish parents, Hans J. Anderson and Clara (Christenson) Anderson in Hetland, South Dakota. They moved to Lake Preston, SD when they bought a much larger farm. He graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1951 and decided that being a farmer wasn't for him. He wanted to serve his country instead and enlisted in the United States Air Force. They gave him a week to go home and take care of his personal affairs before he headed to the next chapter of his life.

That February, his parents drove him to Minnesota in a blinding blizzard to catch a train heading south towards San Antonio, Texas. His destination was Lackland Air Force base for basic training and when he got off the train, he felt like he was in a different world. Everything was green, the roses were in bloom, and he wondered why it had taken him so long to get to where he didn't have to shovel snow, and it was 70 degrees in February. He never wanted to leave and knew someday he'd return to live his life and raise a family.

While his basic training, he tested for Officer's Training School and while accepted, the present class was full. He was sent down interstate 35 to Waco to James Connally Air Force Base for six months to assist them with multiple jobs to wait for the next open class. He peeled baskets of onions and potatoes to feed the growing number of troops, mowed grass around the base, and even learned to work on B-25 engines. On weekends, he was free to drive around and explore Waco. One evening, Airman Anderson and a couple friends stopped at the local A&W Root beer stand for an ice-cold 5¢ mug of root beer. Little did he know his life was about to change forever. Those who knew Andy and traded stories with him most certainly heard him say, "when the car hop brought their drinks out, he was struck with cupid's arrow so hard, he'd never be the same." That car hop was one Elizabeth "Betty" Ann, a senior in high school working summers for some spending money. Andy, totally and completely enamored with Betty, made several trips back just to see her, alone. They became friends and then dated until he left for Officer Training School and Aviation Cadet training in Harlingen, TX. It was nearly a year before he'd see Betty Ann again. He returned to Betty and Waco as a 2 Lieutenant and proposed. Two days after graduating school to become a Radar Observer and Navigator, they were married on May 28t, 1954, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waco.

After a very short honeymoon, Andy and Betty Anderson left to report to Alaskan Air Command Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and start their new life together. While a pilot flew the F-89D Scorpion, the most heavily armed plane in the Air Force, Lt. Anderson used his radar skills to search for Russian planes attempting to spy on Alaskan territory and US military bases.

One cold and rainy night the plane experienced problems and the pilot was struggling for control. The pilot ordered they bail out the plane and blew the canopy while the plane was upside down. Lt. Anderson landed in the remote chilled waters of Cook Inlet with only his emergency pack containing a hunting knife and sea marker. He managed to cut himself free from the parachute lines and inflate his life jacket. The currents in the Inlet were swiftly taking him toward the Bering Sea accompanied by a pod of Beluga whales. The pilot, unable to eject also, had no option but to work to regain control of the plane and successfully landed back at the airbase where he was able to give the location of the ejection site. One helicopter was sent out to search for Lt. Anderson and when it could not locate his sea marker dye, a second was called for. The second helicopter was able to find his trail in the swift current and a medic was lowered to rescue the unconscious Lt. from the frigid 35 degree waters. When attempting to raise Lt. Anderson to the helicopter, the hoist malfunctioned and the decision was made to carry him back to the base dangling in a sling and his frozen flight suit. The average survival in the frozen inlet is 30 minutes. He was in the water for 1 hour 56 minutes. He quit flying.

Lt Anderson spent the next 21 years with the Strategic Air Command personnel traveling through Oklahoma, Texas, Germany, and California- to name a few. His last assignment was at March Field in Riverside, California where he was promoted to Lt Colonel. His retirement ceremony brought a fly over of B-52's and KC-135's. After his retirement, he and his family moved to Marion, TX where they had ten acres of land purchased after their return from Germany, that were waiting to provide a warm and peaceful life.

They built their forever home and aptly named it, "Dunromin". With four children aged 18 months to 16 years, he began working at the Marion Post Office for the next 20 years. He once joked that he needed to find the job so he could afford to buy pantyhose for five women. The part time position was the perfect job for a man who loved to talk, as he got to interact with every resident of Marion but also had time to spend in his workshop at home making sawdust and spend time with his family. He enjoyed bringing antiques back to their original splendor along with building and caring for the family property over many wonderful years.

He died a very happy man and was smiling as usual. He is survived by his A&W car hop bride of 72 years, Betty Ann and his four daughters, in order, Angela Bryant, Cindy Ramirez, Kirsten Seiler, and Kathy Elizarraraz.

Services are pending at this time.