Roy Ernest Anderson

1914 - 2013

Roy Earnest Anderson
Roy Earnest Anderson, formally of Stanwood and Mount Vernon, passed away January 29, 2013 in Kennewick, Washington. He was 98 years old.
Roy was born on December 17, 1914 in Seattle, the son of Gus and Ellen Anderson. Shortly after his birth the family moved to a farm in Stanwood. He graduated from Lincoln High School of East Stanwood in 1932.
Roy was a hard worker his entire life. Early on, he would ride the trains to make his way to Wenatchee to work in the apple harvest. He moved to Bremerton where he toiled in the shipyard during World War II. Following the war he moved back to Stanwood to tend the family farm. Besides taking care of the family farm, Roy would cut cedar shakes at the local mill. In 1950 he started driving school bus in between his other two jobs. Eventually Roy became a bus mechanic for the Stanwood School District. When he retired in 1978, Roy was supervisor of student transportation, a position he had held since 1962.
Roy was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He was never happier than when he was in his boat waiting for the big one to bite or out in the forest scouting for deer and elk.
He also loved children and was always there to help, encourage, and brighten the lives of both his own children and others. Whether it was driving the bus for athletic teams, leading the local 4-H group, taking kids to the fair, or playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was always there for them.
Roy was a happy man who loved to laugh and joke. He always had something to say that would give you a laugh. There wasn't a Scandinavian joke he didn't know. Besides being a happy man, Roy was also a very honorable man. He was a very good husband to Marie Simonseth whom he married in 1945. He was a loving and nurturing father to his three children, and a wonderful "Papa" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will surely be missed.
Roy was preceded in death by his daughter, Karlene Anderson in 1967. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marie Anderson (Simonseth) currently residing in Kennewick, Washington; his children Linda Varick of Kennewick, and Charles Anderson and wife Morrine of La Center, Washington; five grandchildren, Kelly Lindsley (Carlson), Tina Carlson, Kyle Anderson, Megan Bright (Anderson), and Ashley Kleinschmidt (Anderson); eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Doris Tweit of Bellingham, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday April 13, 2013 in the chapel of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood