Robert (Bob) Henry Anderson, Jr. died peacefully on November 12, 2012, at Windsor Point Retirement Community in Fuquay-Varina, NC, at the blessed age of 95. An exceptional individual with a sharp intellect and an eye for details, he had an incredible work ethic that demonstrated his deep love for God, family and country.
Born in Orange, Massachusetts on June 22, 1917, to Robert Henry Anderson, Sr. and Fannie Jeffries Anderson, he always cherished his place of birth. Throughout his lifetime, he lived in Maryland, Florida and North Carolina, but he rarely missed his annual summer pilgrimage back to Orange where he and his beloved wife, Corky, maintained a family vacation home on Lake Mattawa.
Bob graduated from the University of Alabama in 1940, with an undying allegiance to the Crimson Tide, and in 1942, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Speaking. While teaching in Cold Spring, AL, he met and married Cortez Johnson Anderson. This past March, they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.
After completing officer training at Harvard University in 1942, he served in the United States Navy in the Pacific arena aboard the William Ward Burrows. As a part of the generation of men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom during World War II, he spent two years overseas and was reunited with Corky late in 1945.
Following WWII, he taught public speaking at the University of Maryland. In 1947, he began his 30 years of service as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and in 1957, opened an FBI Resident Agency in Ocala, FL, serving as its Senior Resident Agent until his retirement in 1977. As a committed member of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) and the Kiwanis Club of Ocala, his contributions to the community were significant. In the early 1970’s, he directed the Marion County (FL) Kingdom of the Son Crusade, a multi-community, Christian outreach event that touched the lives of many residents. For his strong faith, extraordinary speaking skills, and persuasive personality, he was honored with the God and Country Award.
He is survived by his son, Bob III (Sara) of Cary, NC, and daughter, Carol Anderson Crawford (Bob) of Olney, MD; grandchildren Carolyn Anderson Farrell (Rich) of Boston, MA, Mark Anderson (Lisa) of Wilmington, NC, Lauren Crawford Holbrook (Chris) of Cheboygan, MI, Ashley Crawford Elliott (Jason) of Colonial Heights, VA; great-grandchildren Faith (9), Luke (6) and Evelyna Mae (4) Farrell, Crawford (6) and Hugh (23 months) Anderson, Miriam Holbrook (1), Madison (3) and Jackson (1) Elliott.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Cary, Saturday, November 17th at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to FUMC – Cary (NC) or Orange (MA) UMC.
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