Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson was born on Wednesday, August 26, 1942 to the late Nettie Augusta Anderson and Robert George Anderson in Indianapolis, Indiana. Michael was raised in Indianapolis where he attended public schools and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1960.

While in high school, Mike joined the ROTC program where he took immense pride in spit shining his boots to a mirror finish. He went on to demonstrate his willingness to defend this nation by enlisting in the Army. Michael spent five years in the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This infantry division specialized in parachute assault operations into denied areas. Some sources consider the 82nd Airborne division the most highly trained light infantry division in the world. Upon his return, he was employed at the United States Post Office making deliveries in the downtown area and subsequently he became the first African American in Indianapolis to work for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He was later hired to work for Kaiser Jeep and went on to finish his career at Chrysler where he retired.

Mike, affectionately known as MA, loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed attending the annual Carter Family reunions all over the country. He had a special love for the "Chicago Group" always going there until he could no longer drive the miles. Mike enjoyed music especially jazz. He would put his music on in the car and raise the garage door so the entire neighborhood could hear it and he would be "poppin and crackin". MA was a dapper dresser always with a stylish hat to match. He was a contestant in the Flamingo Club's Sweetheart contest one year the winner to be crowned on that Easter Sunday. MA loved sports and he would spend hours in front of the TV refusing to be interrupted. He got excited watching the Colts make touchdowns to watching Tiger Woods make a clutch play in golf. During March Madness, you knew to call MA for help filling out your brackets. He was our own "Bracketologist". His passion for the sport started at an early age watching the Lockefield Dust Bowl Tournaments and Oscar Robertson. MA's news channel of choice was CNN and whatever was happening in the world he had a strong opinion about and quickly called his sister Vicky to see if she was aware. Mike enjoyed good food. He regularly requested that you bring him some Long's doughnuts. His MA chili cook off with his sister Carol was legendary. He enjoyed her delicious sweet potato pies and she made an extra one for him just this past Thanksgiving. Michael loved to give and no matter how much you protested he wouldn't let you leave his house without something in your hands.

Michael departed this life on Monday, November 20, 2017. With Love, Peace, and Happiness, he leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Vera Michelle Anderson, grandsons Ryan Cook, Devin Cook, and Justin Cook, brother Dennis Anderson (Sherry) and his sisters Carol Yvonne Jones (James) and Vicky Anderson Bailey as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.