Thomas Frank Anderson

Thomas Frank Anderson, a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, the 6th of March 2025 surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. In 78 years, he touched the lives of many through his unwavering love, support, generosity, and loyal friendship. Tom was a man whose wisdom and kindness made the world a better place.

Tom was born the 11th of July 1946 in Houston, Texas, to Bessie and Willard McVey. He attended Roberts Elementary and was in one of the first graduating classes of Houston’s Robert E. Lee High School. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1968, where Tom proudly served in the ROTC. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he made lifelong friends, many with whom Tom enjoyed active friendships up to his last days.

Upon graduation, Tom served in the US Army as a First Lieutenant while stationed in North Korea. Upon returning, he began a lifelong career in real estate with his brother Ken at Anderson, Fitzgerald and Giammalva. In 1983 Tom joined John Daugherty Realtors, where he spent 20 years and served as Executive Vice President and General Manager. An exciting era began in 2004 when Tom embarked upon his leadership tenure at the iconic Martha Turner Properties as Executive VP, where he would go on to become Co-Owner. Under his guidance the firm experienced unprecedented growth, culminating in the firm’s acquisition by Sotheby’s International Realty in 2014, when he took on the role of Co-President. Tom transitioned to Chairman Emeritus in 2015 and remained a respected leader in Houston’s real estate industry. His dedication, exceptional leadership and vision truly helped shape Houston’s residential real estate market for nearly four decades.

Apart from his professional life, Tom enjoyed many other pursuits. He was a deeply committed Christian with a strong, personal relationship with the Lord. Tom was an active member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, where he formed a close friendship with his beloved pastor, Matt Russell. Post-retirement, Tom began the honorable work of volunteering long hours with Texas EquuSearch. He loved being able to serve families in need in this unique and brave way. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Tom served on the Board of Directors of the Post Oak YMCA and in recent years loved his time and friends at the Houstonian Club. One of his greatest lifetime passions was golf, both on and off the course, and he especially loved the hours he spent on the green with his only grandson Thomas. Many golf hours were enjoyed with his wife and friends at Lake Conroe, where they were often followed by sunset boat cruises with Planters Punches in hand. He was also known to suppress an evil smile while sling-shotting his kids, grandkids & their young friends on inner tubes behind said boats. When off the water & green, Tom loved cars. He enjoyed everything from talking and learning about engineering details to a good car race, and made many great memories with friends at Indy 500s over the years. Any other free time Tom could grab, you could find him working in his woodshop and building frames for Bibbi’s paintings. He could fix or build anything for anyone and truly was a self-taught master craftsman. He is likely already tinkering around and finding something to fix behind the Pearly Gates.

On the 4th of April 1975, Tom married the love of his life, Vivian “Bibbi”, with whom he spent 50 devoted years. Shortly after their marriage, Tom legally adopted Bibbi’s daughter Lisa as his child, and soon after they welcomed their daughter Amy to complete their family of four. Tom loved his family above all else. He was a devoted grandfather honored to be called “PawPaw”- his grandchildren were the light of his life, and truly his pride and joy. Many nieces and nephews are also proud to call him Uncle Tommy. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Buddy Anderson and James Kenneth Anderson, and son-in-law Dr. Vance LeCrone. Tom is survived by his wife, Vivian “Bibbi” Felton Anderson; his children, Lisa Anderson Stewart and husband Doug, Amy Anderson LeCrone Mitchell and husband David; his grandchildren, Helena Stewart, Lynley Stewart, Charlotte LeCrone, Adeline LeCrone and Thomas LeCrone; and numerous beloved step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express special thanks to the following for their loving care: Dr. Naru Ikoma, Dr. Madhulika Eluri, Kristen Saucier and Tom’s entire team at MD Anderson; Nely Yanes; and Dr. Matt Russell with Chapelwood UMC.

A memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 14th of March at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private inurnment at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or http://mdanderson.org/gifts (please notate that gift is given in memory of Tom Anderson and for the benefit of pancreatic cancer research under Dr. Naru Ikoma); or The Chapelwood Foundation, in memory of Tom Anderson, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX 77024.

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