Orville Anderson

ANDERSON
Orville Vernon "Andy" Anderson born April 18, 1922 in Dixon, Illinois passed away March 7, 2013 in Fair Oaks Ranch surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Wesley and Alta Gazelle Fitzgerald Anderson; brother, Gerald Anderson; son-in-law, Thomas J. May, Jr. Survived by wife, Pamela Joyce Stannard Anderson; daughter Valerie Joyce Townsend and husband, John Charles Townsend; daughter Teresa Joy May; grandsons, Lynn Sean and David John Mallery; great grandchildren, Garrett Orville and Clare Joyce Mallery; sister, Margaret Tennant and husband Bob; brother, Harold Anderson and wife, Lois. He also leaves many nephews and nieces in the U.S. and England. He loved the art of photography and built his first darkroom in 1938 at the age of 16 in Arthur, Illinois. At 18 he opened his own studio. He volunteered for the Air Force and was stationed at Barksdale Field in Louisiana and completed two photography courses while serving. The Air Force sent him to the University of Kansas to study engineering. In 1944 he was transferred to the Infantry and would have been sent to the "Battle of the Bulge", but fortunately it was discovered that he had not been drafted and was not eligible for his army assignment. he was offered officer training but wanted to continue in photography and was later station in Thurleigh, England as a Staff Sergeant in the 9th Air Force, serving as the base photographer in public relations. One weekend in 1945 in Bedford, England, Orville met Pamela Stannard and offered her a bouquet of cornflowers and invited her to a USO dance. They married later that year in Bedford after a whirlwind romance. His favorite song was "What a Difference a Day Makes". After his discharge from the Air Force and return to the U.S., Andy worked for thirteen years with John Rose Portraits of San Antonio, TX. He earned thirteen merits toward a PPA masters degree. Following this he worked for twenty two years at Brooks AFB as a research, portrait, and medical photographer. He also taught four courses including retouching, oil painting, and portrait and color printing for five years at San Antonio College. Two highlights of Andy's photographic career were the privilege of taking a portrait of Vice-President Lyndon Baines Johnson and photographing President John F. Kennedy in San Antonio the day before he was assassinated in Dallas. Recently he donated his 1920's portrait camera to the Boerne Bookstore where it will be on permanent display. In his later years he enjoyed taking his grandchildren Lynn and David on regular fishing trips to Corpus Christi. He taught them well aboard Captains Clark's fishing boat and they enjoy the hobby that Andy passed on to them to this day. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends. Many thanks to caregivers Sally, Frances, and David for their loving care.
Gone fishing.....

SERVICES
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM Sunday March 10, 2013 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 11, 2013 at Mission Burial Park North, 20900 I-H 10 West. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice. You may sign the on-line guest book at www.missionparks.com under the obituary section.