Michael Anderson

1948 - 2022

Michael Anderson
November 21, 1948 - February 25, 2022
Pasco, Washington - Michael "Mike" Erick Anderson, 73, died on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, after a courageous battle with Leukemia.
Mike was born November 21, 1948 in Prosser, Washington, to Harvey and Mina Anderson. He grew up in the Yakima Valley and later moved to Benton City, Washington, where he attended and graduated from Kiona-Benton High School in 1967. After high school, Mike attended both Eastern Washington University and Willamette University, and then later enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he did a 4-year tour with some time spent in Okinawa as a radio disc jockey for the servicemen. After his father's death in 1974, Mike returned to work on the family apple orchard in Prosser, and married Peggy Martin. They were blessed with two sons, Michael and Alex. Mike worked for many years in sales, which took his family to many parts of the country. They eventually settled in the Seattle area, where they lived for many years. Mike was a wonderful father. He coached his sons' soccer teams for many years, enjoyed their family trips, read books to the boys as only he could, and always supported their endeavors.
Mike returned to Eastern Washington in 2002, and married Vicki Dugger Aman in 2004. He worked as an Estimator/Project Manager for A&B Asphalt until he retired.
Mike had many hobbies, including restoring a 1956 Ford pickup that he was very proud of. Known affectionately as "Mr. Greenjeans" by his wife, Vicki, he loved gardening and created a beautiful garden oasis at their home in Pasco. Mike loved to write and tell stories and made friends everywhere he went. He enjoyed woodworking and creating garden art and did many projects for his garden, as well as for friends, family and neighbors. He loved to help his neighbors and was known to show up and do whatever might be needed. He made friends with a very special centenarian neighbor, whom he helped with yardwork and other necessities, and wrote many short stories about his "Life with Virginia", entertaining his friends and family. He often went to the Pasco Senior Center and played cribbage with his friends there. Stemming from his past as a DJ in college and the military, he was an extreme music enthusiast and was constantly creating playlists for friends and family and finding new music to enjoy. Mike was a wonderful "Poppi" and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to get down on the floor and play, and even helped with coaching their soccer teams. Mike often talked about what his grandkids were up to, and especially looked forward to his special "face time" with his youngest grandson, baby Max.
Mike is survived by his current wife, Vicki (Dugger) Anderson; former wife Peggy Martin-Waters; sons, Michael (Meredith) Anderson and Alex (Sara) Anderson; stepdaughter Marissa (William) McNeal; grandchildren, Elias McNeal, Clementine Anderson, Liam McNeal, Quinn Anderson, and Max Anderson.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Mina Anderson, and his younger brother, Scott Anderson.
Mike's wife, Vicki, is especially thankful to Pat Gavin, who housed and took care of Mike during his time in Seattle battling cancer, and for the outpouring of love and support from her family and friends after his passing.
A private graveside gathering for family will be held at Prosser Cemetery on May 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. A celebration of Mike's life for friends and family will follow from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Drumheller's Restaurant at the Lodge, 530 Columbia Point Drive, Richland, WA.