Don Walt Anderson

Don Walt Anderson passed away at home on Monday, February 15, 2021, from complications due to a lengthy illness. He was born in Albany, TX on June 23, 1938, to Troy Wendell “Pete” Anderson and Grace Velma (Miller) Anderson.

Don was a 1956 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Acuff, TX, where the famous Buddy Holly also attended a few years earlier. He then spent two years studying land management and agriculture at Texas Tech University.

He married Gayle Barnett in 1957, and they had three children together. In 1982, he married Kina Jo Young with two little girls, who he raised and became known as “Daddy Don.” He was a strict but just father to all five children. He expected toughness and hard work, but was fair and patient. He truly had a sixth sense to what his kids were doing. None of them got away with anything, even when they thought they did.

The majority of his professional career was with Merchant’s Fast Motor Lines in Abilene, TX, from 1962 to 1997. He was an Officer of the parent company and Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for National Accounts. Those accounts included companies such as Revlon and Mattel Toys. He also served as President of Merchant’s Long Haul Division. Dedication and loyalty to the company was of the utmost importance. When a Merchant’s Truck would pass by while traveling with family he would say, “Salute! That’s what puts the bread and butter on our table.”

Don moved to San Antonio, TX in April of 1997, to work for SMT aka Southwestern Motor Transport, Inc and Landair Trucking. He retired from the trucking industry in 2001, but spent the last 20 years helping run the financial side of his wife’s interior decorating business.

Don enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Lake Brownwood for many years. Boating and water skiing were his expertise. He taught numerous people to water ski over the years. The phrase “I can’t” was not allowed in anyone’s vocabulary while learning. If he was not at the lake he was on the golf course. Don was an avid golfer for over 30 years, playing as much as he could up until a few years ago. Don aspired early on to be a boxer but settled on being a spectator. He also loved to play the card game blackjack and visit Las Vegas. He was a smooth dancer and could two step with the best of them, but would occasionally do the “George Jefferson” for his family. He loved Willie Nelson and Woody Guthrie, and was a fan of all country music from the 1930s to 1950s.

He knew when to be serious but had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around with people. He was wise and his life advice will be missed. Something he practiced and would say was "always do the right thing, even when no one is looking."

He was loyal to the brand Coors beer and even enjoyed one last “yellow belly” with his son a few days before his passing.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents; brother, Larry Wynn Anderson; daughter, Cheryl Lynn Anderson; and his great-nephew, Clayton Anderson.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kina; one son and three daughters; Joe Anderson (Ginny) of Flower Mound, TX, Judy Anderson Surles (Tim) of Abilene, TX, Laci Perry Burns (Matt) of Brownwood, TX, and Lynsi Perry Musselman (James) of Albany, TX; eight grandchildren, Kristen Anderson Erwin (Jeremy) of Frisco, TX, Adam Anderson (Natalie) of Lubbock, TX, Taylor Surles and fiancée’ Josh Hilliard of Abilene, TX; Eric Burns of San Antonio, TX; Trinity Surles of Austin, TX, Weston Burns of Brownwood, TX, Mae Musselman, and Elizabeth Musselman of Albany, TX; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Kaylee Erwin of Frisco, TX; and two nephews, Cary Anderson (Brenda) of Weatherford, TX and John Anderson (Stacey) of Amarillo, TX.

He also leaves behind several close friends. He always said “if you can find one true good friend, consider yourself lucky.” He had a few that he could truly call that type of friend.

We will be celebrating Don’s life at one of his favorite spots:

Under the oak trees at

Albert Ice House

5435 Ranch Road-1623

Stonewall, TX 78671

Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Dress is casual and the weather should be nice.

Come and share stories and let’s remember good times with Don.

A food truck will be onsite serving lunch.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the girls and boys basketball program at Albany Independent School District. Don and his brother, Larry, were both born in Albany, TX and loved the game of basketball. Also, to honor Don’s daughter Cheryl, who coached high school girls basketball for 12 years. To make a tax deductible donation, send checks to:

Albany Athletic Booster Club

P.O. Box 2201

Albany, TX 76430

Notate: “In Memory of Don & Larry Anderson Basketball Program”