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Donald Anderson Obituary

Donald Lee Anderson 84, of Tucson, passed on October 19, 2010 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Don was born December 25, 1925 in Valley Falls, Kansas to Ruth and Alba William (Jerry) Anderson. Don grew up in Tecumseh, Nebraska, where his youth was spent playing ball or working at his parents' Nu-Way Café on the town square. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1943, lettering in football, basketball, and track. Don served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, then attended Nebraska State Teacher's College at Peru, graduating in 1950. While at Peru, Don was football captain, all conference first team for two years and named to "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges." Don taught history and was head football coach at Tecumseh High School in Nebraska, East High School in Waterloo, Iowa, and Kewanee High School in Kewanee, Illinois. East High won the football championship in 1955 under Coach Anderson, a highlight of his life. Don's track team took back-to-back state titles at Tucson High School in 1971-72. He taught American History and coached the Tucson High Badgers for 30 years. Don married his hometown sweetheart, Anita Claire Spradley, in 1956. Her death in 2004 ended a 48-year marriage which produced three children: Susan Boettcher (Jerry) and sons, Steve and David. Don is also survived by sister, Cody Linder; nieces, Jeri Linder and Connie Soukup; nephews, Bill and Donnie Anderson; grandchildren, Daniel and Alexandra Boettcher and thousands of students and friends. We know Don is with Anita again, and we will see them both again someday. Thanks for everything, Dad. We miss you and love you more than words can say. A celebration of Don's life will be held at Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway, on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment will be Monday, November 8, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY, 5801 E. Grant. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations for needy athletes to the Alumni T-Club, c/o Tucson High, 400 N. 2nd Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85705.
Published by Arizona Daily Star on Oct. 31, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Anderson

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January 18, 2011

Coach Anderson was the favorite teacher and coach at Kewanee High School in IIlinois. I remember the birth of their first child, Susan?, our gang went to the house with a baby gift.. We have such fond memories...Kay Hanson Dicus, Class of "61

Judith Greening

December 7, 2010

Dear Susan and family, I am so very sorry about your loss of your Mother and now your Father. I am very slow at getting to my emails,and was out of town helping a friend. The thing that you have that is so great, are memories and also knowing that they are now together in Haven with the Lord, awaiting your arrival some day. This is one thing that helps me when I lose someone that I love. Knowing that they were walking with the Lord. It is still hard but, "We Will All Meet Again Some Day". God Bless, Love Judy Greening

Sue Caucutt

November 15, 2010

Dear Susan and Jerry,
May you find peace during this difficult times as you know your Father was admired and loved.
With Sympathy,

Lolita and Earl Lynch

November 14, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May God's great Love comfort you.

November 14, 2010

Dear Susan and Jerry, Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry we could not be at the memorial service. Your father was a wonderful man....may be rest in peace.
Ellen and Vinnie Hunt

Elizabeth Coult

November 13, 2010

My prayers are with you at this time.

Shirley Webb

November 12, 2010

Susan, Jerry and the Anderson family. My heartfelt condolences are with you and may the comfort of God help you during this difficult time.

p Lewis

November 12, 2010

Thinking of you. Sorry we were on the road and couldn't be there. Love from Peg and John.

Suzanne Schafer

November 12, 2010

I'm not surprised to see so many fond memories here from former students of Don's. I was a beginning teacher at Tucson High in the late 1980s, and Don made our little social studies office a friendly and welcoming haven. His warm smile and constant good cheer helped me to keep those first-year struggles in perspective. His acceptance and encouragement were invaluable to me and his attitude toward his students was something to emulate. My deepest sympathies are with the Anderson family.

November 8, 2010

My sympathy to the Anderson family.Mr Anderson was my American History teacher in 1972.He was one of my favorite teachers of all times.A great coach,person,and teacher.God Bless You Thanks for teaching me, and making me a good person. Manny Barredo

John Walden

November 8, 2010

I will cherish Don Anderson's memory. As a kid of some of the
"Nebraska people" I remember his quiet smile, and
observances about what was going on when we all got together.
My condolences to Susan, Steve, and David and Families

Richard Fimbres

November 6, 2010

Coach Anderson was a great coach, teacher and human being. He had a way of getting the best out of either a player or student. He cared about you as a person. I had the pleasure of playing and running for him at THS. We had some great teams, because of him. Lessons I learned from him have helped me throughout my life. He was a Champion and he will be missed. God Bless you all.

Kelly Langford

November 6, 2010

Coach Anderson was a special teacher, a gifted coach but more importantly he was a great man! I feel very blessed to have had you as a teacher and coach. To the Anderson family, do know that Coach Anderson made a difference in the lives of 1000s of young people. May the Lord provide you comfort and peace. God Bless.....
Kelly Langford
Class of 72'

November 4, 2010

Whenever I heard stories of teachers who don't engage students I would remember great teachers like Mr. Anderson who could make history and government interesting. His twinkling eyes and great energy made it seem like he enjoyed teaching us too. Thanks Mr. Anderson! --Lisa (Waite) Bunker, Class of 1977

Fred Tarazon

November 4, 2010

Coach Anderson you were my football coach and will always remember how you made us tough and strong and guided us to many victories.

God Bless you and your family.

Class of 72

maria

November 3, 2010

Im sure, if I was living here in Tucson on those years I think I had have know this wonderful teacher, man, coach and father,but I wasn't here, but is a privilege know about him now, God blees you family and your legacy with many years of life.

Mish'l Orta

November 3, 2010

Mr. Anderson.....the world
famous(My world famous) history teacher. Badgers, Class of '86.....boy did I disliked that subject! Then I had the pleasure of having Mr. Anderson teach "me", World History. What can I say, he got me to STOP coming in late, learn and stay interested in World History! Thanks Mr. Anderson, u rock! Thankfully w/ his great way of teaching and a little help from "Bruce Miller"...heehee, I was able to pass and graduate!
I often wondered where u were at, & who you were loading up w/ knowledge? Now you can be the well known American History teacher in heaven!
Hats off to a Phenomenal teacher! Our Lord loves His Teachers!

Edgar Soto THS Class of 1987

November 3, 2010

Anderson family, my deepest sympathy. Coach Anderson was wonderful person, and a talented coach. I feel privileged to have had him as a coach.

Darcy Quinlan Meyer THS Class of 1976

November 3, 2010

To the Anderson family:

On behalf of Badger Nation, thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful coach, teacher, and man with Tucson High. Thanks to Mr. Anderson's personality and love of teaching (and the use of his map game and current events assignments), his classes were some of the most popular on campus.

Armando Rivero

November 3, 2010

I will always remember Mr. Anderson from Tucson High class of '79.Unfortunately those were not T.H.S. best football years! As a skinny teen I remember him putting his hands to his mouth and saying,"Faux Paus". How fitting it applied to us! He will be remembered.

November 2, 2010

Thanks Coach Anderson for being such a great person role model and the Best coach, Famous saying Higuera Sprint to the end. You will be missed. Tony and Ron Higuera Class of 63 and 73.RIP Go Badgers!

Michael Valencia

November 2, 2010

Thank you Coach Anderson. You were an inspiration and excellent role model. I can still recall your energy at all our varsity track meets and freshman football games.
May you Rest in Peace.
Class of 73

Jeannie (Prosser) Gadea THS '81

November 1, 2010

Don Anderson was my track coach and teacher at THS. His quirky humor and genuine enthusiasm, generosity and dedication left me with lasting fond memories of him. He has left a great legacy in this world. RIP to a truly wonderful human being.

November 1, 2010

Mr. Anderson was one of my American History Teachers at THS. He was a great teacher and a great man. That SMILE of his lit up the classroom. May God Bless the Anderson Family.

Theresa A. Soto THS Class of 1970

Cheryl Petroshus

November 1, 2010

Thank you Coach Anderson for being such a great coach and role model for two generations of our family
Go Badgers

Petroshus

November 1, 2010

From two generations that you coached you are a great man RIP
The Petroshus Family

October 31, 2010

Andy and I became friends at Peru State in the late 1940s and have kept in touch ever since. I think the last time that I saw him was at Peru when he was inducted into PSC's athletic hall of fame.

"Unbelieveable" was a favorite expression of his and I am reminded of that often. The most recent time was while I was watching the Husker/Missouri game and Nebraska had a 24-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

We often set together in history classes at Peru. I would take notes of what the professor was saying. Andy used Xs and Os to create football plays. Guess who received the best grade on the exams.

Best wishes to the Anderson family. Your parents/grandparents were very proud of you.

Bob Utermohlen

Wendy Petersen

October 31, 2010

I remember Mr. Anderosn as a wonderful history teacher at Tucson High.

Eugenio "Geno" Flores

October 31, 2010

Mr. Anderson, you're gone. You were such a great coach, and a great man. I clearly remember you when I was on the freshamn football team. When I returned from Vietnam, and went back to THS for my senior year. I remember your words of encouragement. You'll be missed.
We'll let God take if from here.

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