Jerome Anderson

1950 - 2026

Jerome Willard Anderson, tireless worker for his family, church, community, the construction trades, and historic preservation, departed from this world on March 5, 2026. Jerry, as he was commonly known, was born June 22, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland, son of the late Gilbert Eugene Anderson and Elizabeth Yourtee Anderson. Growing up in Parkton, in Baltimore County, he attended Fifth District Elementary School. In 1960, his family moved to a farm near Creagerstown, in Frederick County, Maryland. He graduated from Thurmont High School in 1968. He attended the University of Maryland and served in the Army National Guard 1970-1976.

As a young man, Jerry was an active 4-H member. His Brown Swiss cow, Regal, was the Maryland State Champion at the Timonium State Fair in 1960. In 1966, Jerry won the Maryland Farm Bureau's Unsung Hero award, an attestation to his unflagging efforts and low-key demeanor. In 1967, as the 4-H Maryland Champion in Field Crops, he represented the State at the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, Illinois. In 1968, he was a Maryland 4-H Club All-Star.

Professionally, Jerry began his career working for Bowers Lumber Company. He later worked for Wickes Lumber, then for Bert Anderson as Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing the historic properties on Shab Row and beyond. When you enjoy the lights along Shab Row at Christmas, think of Jerry. With great care he arranged three miles of lighting around the windows and doors of the street each year from 2007 until 2019, when he was unable to continue due to the progression of ataxia, a rare condition.

Baptized in St. James Church, Parkton, and confirmed in Harriet Chapel, Catoctin Episcopal Parish, Thurmont, Jerry served as an acolyte and later junior and senior warden. In 2009, he became a member of Walkersville United Methodist Church.

For more than 47 years, Jerry lived in, meticulously restored, and maintained one of the original Catoctin Furnace worker houses. Never happier than when he was repairing, restoring, or holding a paint brush in his hand, Jerry's legacy will remain in the structures of the historic village. Among other awards, he was awarded the Outstanding Stewardship of Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) Easement Properties by the MHT in 2023.

He is survived by wife Nancy Ellen Crouse Anderson; daughter Kate Elizabeth Anderson; sister Melinda Ann Sharitz; brother Joel Tilghman Anderson and his wife, Brigitta Shroyer; sister Elizabeth Anderson Comer and her husband, Douglas Craig Comer; grandchildren Chaslyn Derexson Sleeter, Kelby Elizabeth Benjamin, and Caleb Edward Derexson; and brother-in-law Edward Crouse. His nephews and nieces include Jeffrey Thomas Zepp and his partner, Kellie Hancock; Adrienne Grace Sharitz and her fiance, Jamie Smyth; Margaret Anderson Comer; Jacob Arents Comer; and Anne Tilghman Comer. He is also survived by several great-nieces and -nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Hartzler Funeral Home, 404 S. Main Street, Woodsboro, MD 21798, at 11:30 a.m., with Pastor Mike Henning officiating. The family will receive guests beginning at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, burial will take place at the historic Blue Ridge Cemetery, 121 N Altamont Ave, Thurmont, MD 21788. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, where a scholarship fund for training young people in historic preservation building skills has been established in his name. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family at Hartzler Funeral Home.

Jerome Anderson