Leroy Anderson
July 7, 1928 — March 18, 2022
Leroy Anderson, 93, was born on July 7, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Ernest Anderson and Emma Sundquist, and entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2022 in Downey, California.
His daughter, Janelle, wrote this for her father:
What a joy it is to be here among so many who knew and loved LeRoy Anderson!
He touched so many lives in many different venues. Some of you knew him as friend. Some as brother or uncle. Some here knew him as Papa, but I knew him as Dad.
My sister, Julie, my brother David, and I had the blessing of calling him Dad. Our Dad enjoyed life, and I believe, he always tried to live in the present. Not looking back on what could have been, but looking for the good and finding the joy in each new day. Dad loved the Lord, loved his family, and took pride in his work and all his other activities. He believed in keeping his priorities in order, and I believe he did that well.
His first priority was to God. He loved the Lord, and I believe he served Him well. Growing up in the church, his parents instilled in him a love for God and for his church family. As I saw my dad interact with others at our church growing up, I saw his love for them. One of his greatest joys was serving for 30 years as Choir Director at Grace Lutheran Church, Bell, CA. He loved the music of the church, the message of the gospel it contained and the theology it shared.
His second priority was to his wife, our mother, Greta. They married June 23, 1951, on Midsummer Eve. They were married for almost 60 years. Mom had health issues for the last several years of her life and we saw our dad take such loving care of her until she passed away in 2011. The good memories they made and his faith carried him until now, when he entered into heaven and they were reunited again. His love for family follows here. All through his life he grew up with a strong sense of love and loyalty for his family. He spoke so fondly of his family, he loved his parents, Ernest & Emma Anderson, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, and especially his brothers and their wives- Ron & Walda and Don & Eileen, and their children and grandchildren.
I can only imagine the amazing reunion that is going on in heaven now that Dad has come home. He entered into his eternal life on March 18th, 2022
And of course, that same love he had for us, his children. David, Julie, and I had wonderful, loving parents. Were they perfect, no, but God lovingly chose to make us a family. And so, we were. I could share with you about all our fun family times & all of the memories that we shared, but I'd rather tell about the most important thing they shared with us. They shared their faith in God and their love for His only Son, Jesus, Who died for our sins that we might live eternally with Him. Of course, I can't leave out the joy he had in becoming Papa to my children: Jason, Jonathan, Jennifer, Jessica, and to David's children: David Eric & Ellen, and to Julie's children: Alan & Leann. And then those precious great grandchildren, Aubree & James, and Ethan & Carson. How his eyes lit up when he saw them or spoke of them!
Dad had a great love for his country. He served in the United States Army beginning right after he finished High School. He served at the end of the war and saw a lot of sadness, but never went into much detail. His love for America was there to the very end. Dad has instilled that same love for country into us, his children.
Dad worked for Firestone & Goodyear for about 30 years of his life. I believe he served them and faithfully carried out his job as a Manager. He had opportunity to meet many interesting people, those he worked with, and those he served as customers. He always hoped that he would be a living testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior.
And now to his next priority & joy, which would be all his dear friends. Many were made through the different Vasa organizations he belonged to. Many of you are here today & we are so thankful for you, for the love and support you have given him over the years. He loved the Swedish community and looked forward to every opportunity he had to be together. As you know, Dad loved Scandinavian music. He loved playing his accordion for The Swedish Dance Club, for Midsummer at Vasa Park, here at The Seaman's Church, and for many other events. In my memory, every time he played, he had a big smile on his face!
I believe Dad always loved, and loved well. He never seemed to meet a stranger. He took obstacles and turned them into opportunities. Dad's life was truly a testimony of one, who through his faith in God, found joy in living. He showed us how to love and enjoy every precious minute of life.
How we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with our loved ones again. Yes, we will see my Dad again!
On behalf of my brother David, my sister Julie, and our families, I want to thank you for coming today and being a part of Celebrating the Life of our Dad!
God Bless all of you!
Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.
His daughter, Janelle, wrote this for her father:
What a joy it is to be here among so many who knew and loved LeRoy Anderson!
He touched so many lives in many different venues. Some of you knew him as friend. Some as brother or uncle. Some here knew him as Papa, but I knew him as Dad.
My sister, Julie, my brother David, and I had the blessing of calling him Dad. Our Dad enjoyed life, and I believe, he always tried to live in the present. Not looking back on what could have been, but looking for the good and finding the joy in each new day. Dad loved the Lord, loved his family, and took pride in his work and all his other activities. He believed in keeping his priorities in order, and I believe he did that well.
His first priority was to God. He loved the Lord, and I believe he served Him well. Growing up in the church, his parents instilled in him a love for God and for his church family. As I saw my dad interact with others at our church growing up, I saw his love for them. One of his greatest joys was serving for 30 years as Choir Director at Grace Lutheran Church, Bell, CA. He loved the music of the church, the message of the gospel it contained and the theology it shared.
His second priority was to his wife, our mother, Greta. They married June 23, 1951, on Midsummer Eve. They were married for almost 60 years. Mom had health issues for the last several years of her life and we saw our dad take such loving care of her until she passed away in 2011. The good memories they made and his faith carried him until now, when he entered into heaven and they were reunited again. His love for family follows here. All through his life he grew up with a strong sense of love and loyalty for his family. He spoke so fondly of his family, he loved his parents, Ernest & Emma Anderson, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, and especially his brothers and their wives- Ron & Walda and Don & Eileen, and their children and grandchildren.
I can only imagine the amazing reunion that is going on in heaven now that Dad has come home. He entered into his eternal life on March 18th, 2022
And of course, that same love he had for us, his children. David, Julie, and I had wonderful, loving parents. Were they perfect, no, but God lovingly chose to make us a family. And so, we were. I could share with you about all our fun family times & all of the memories that we shared, but I'd rather tell about the most important thing they shared with us. They shared their faith in God and their love for His only Son, Jesus, Who died for our sins that we might live eternally with Him. Of course, I can't leave out the joy he had in becoming Papa to my children: Jason, Jonathan, Jennifer, Jessica, and to David's children: David Eric & Ellen, and to Julie's children: Alan & Leann. And then those precious great grandchildren, Aubree & James, and Ethan & Carson. How his eyes lit up when he saw them or spoke of them!
Dad had a great love for his country. He served in the United States Army beginning right after he finished High School. He served at the end of the war and saw a lot of sadness, but never went into much detail. His love for America was there to the very end. Dad has instilled that same love for country into us, his children.
Dad worked for Firestone & Goodyear for about 30 years of his life. I believe he served them and faithfully carried out his job as a Manager. He had opportunity to meet many interesting people, those he worked with, and those he served as customers. He always hoped that he would be a living testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior.
And now to his next priority & joy, which would be all his dear friends. Many were made through the different Vasa organizations he belonged to. Many of you are here today & we are so thankful for you, for the love and support you have given him over the years. He loved the Swedish community and looked forward to every opportunity he had to be together. As you know, Dad loved Scandinavian music. He loved playing his accordion for The Swedish Dance Club, for Midsummer at Vasa Park, here at The Seaman's Church, and for many other events. In my memory, every time he played, he had a big smile on his face!
I believe Dad always loved, and loved well. He never seemed to meet a stranger. He took obstacles and turned them into opportunities. Dad's life was truly a testimony of one, who through his faith in God, found joy in living. He showed us how to love and enjoy every precious minute of life.
How we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with our loved ones again. Yes, we will see my Dad again!
On behalf of my brother David, my sister Julie, and our families, I want to thank you for coming today and being a part of Celebrating the Life of our Dad!
God Bless all of you!
Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leroy Anderson, please visit our flower store.