Gerald Anderson

Longtime Durango resident Gerald Edward Anderson died Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in Durango. He was 77.Known as “Andy,” he was born to George and Edna Anderson on Oct. 29, 1936, in Telluride. His family moved to a farm in Montrose, where “he grew up in the outdoors and mastered the meaning of hard work,” according to his family. After a whirlwind courtship, he married the woman his family called the “love of his life,” Leona Hamilton, on Dec. 29, 1956, in Denver. They moved to Durango in the early 1960s, where Mr. Anderson built several successful businesses, including Merrill’s Men’s Shop and Two Tone Welding. “His knack for business was evident, but his true passion was raising the three sons he and Leona had together,” his son Eddie Anderson said. “He was known as a demanding yet compassionate father who imparted his work ethic and zest for life to each one of them. He loved taking his family snowmobiling in the high country and fishing throughout the La Platas, but he was also dedicated to his sons and encouraged them in their individual strengths.” During his retirement, from 1990 to 2011, Mr. Anderson drove the Durango School District 9-R Accessible School Bus, the Mountain Waters Rafting bus during the summer and the Purgatory Ski Bus during the winter. “He loved being around people and took pride in safely delivering them to whatever destination they desired to go,” his granddaughter, Shonda Atwater, said. “His playful grins were plentiful and free of charge. ... People respected his opinion, but took joy in his whimsy.” Later in life, Mr. Anderson’s greatest joy was in watching his two grandchildren grow up, his family said. “Always the supportive and involved grandfather, ‘Papa’ made it a priority to be there for us,” his grandson, Dusty Anderson, said. “He was at every event, held horses at every 4-H gymkhana, cheered at every football game, sang at every birthday and glowed with pride at every graduation.” Mr. Anderson is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Leona Anderson of Durango; sons Eddie Anderson of Bayfield, Keith Anderson of St. Louis and Kenny Anderson of Creswell, Ore.; brother, Don Anderson, of Delta; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at Pine Valley Church in Bayfield. A reception will be held afterward at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301, or www.mhffnd.org; or to The Gideons International at www.gideons.org. (from the Saturday, December 21, 2013 Durango Herald)