Earl Roderick Anthony

EARL RODERICK ANTHONY (April 27, 1938 - August 14, 2001) Earl Anthony's life will be celebrated in an informal public memorial service on Wednesday, August 22nd at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church. The church is located at 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd in San Ramon. Earl is survived by his wife, Susie, North Plains, OR, sisters Sharon Hoskinson, Des Moines, WA, and Beverly Laramie, Lebanon, NH; daughters Jeri (Greg) Voyles, Gig Harbor, WA and Tracy (Chris) Nelson, Graham, WA; son Mike, Kent, WA; and five grandsons, Jeff, Joey, Bryce, Luke and Blake. Earl was born and raised in Tacoma, WA. He attended Tacoma's Lincoln High School. He then served in the Air Force as a radio repairman in Yuma, AZ. Following his time in the Air Force, he had a professional baseball career as a pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Unfortunately, it was shortened by an injury. He married the mother of his three children, Marylou, on June 7, 1957 in Tacoma. Shortly after he took a position at West Coast Grocery. In 1960, Earl joined a company bowling league at Pacific Lanes. His skills developed rapidly and by 1963 he was bowling competitively and joined the Professional Bowlers Association. After an unsuccessful try 3 tournaments he returned to his job at West Coast Grocery. In 1970, Earl rejoined the P.B.A full time. Career highlights include his selection as P.B.A. Player of the Year 6 times, 41 P.B.A. National Titles, 7 Senior P.B.A. Titles, 12 consecutive 1st team All American Awards, 2 American Bowling Congress Masters Championships, induction into both the P.B.A. and A.B.C. Hall of Fame and was voted Bowler of the Century. In addition to his great bowling career, Earl proved to be an outstanding television broadcaster. He worked for NBC, ESPN and Prime Sports Network. He also owned Earl Anthony's Dublin Bowl in Dublin, CA, with longtime friend Ted Hoffman. In his later years on the P.B.A. tour, Earl married Susie Shelly on September 20, 1980. They moved from Danville, CA to the North Plains area west of Portland in 1988. He loved spending time at their home in the forested foothills of the coast range. Earl also had a deep compassion for animals. He and Susie rescued rabbits, chickens and many other animals and provided them with food shelter. He was an active volunteer for The American Red Cross. Earl also had a passion for golf and, as late as 1999, was rated as a scratch golfer. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed movies. In keeping with Earl's wishes, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be sent to the following organizations which he strongly supported: The American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter, P.O. Box 3200, Portland, OR 97208; The Salvation Army, Cascade Division, P.O. Box 8798, Portland, OR 97208; and EarthSave, Portland Chapter, 13376 SW Chelsea Loop, Tigard, OR 97223