Dennis Neil Anderson

\Colonel Dennis Neil Anderson, age 90, died Friday, January 26, 2024, at Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation in Thomaston, GA. Dennis was born on June 13, 1933, in Lakeland Florida, to the late Leonard William Anderson, and Blanche Anderson Hanks McLeod.

 

Dennis graduated from Lakeland High School and attended Central Washington College where he was a standout football player, being named the Evergreen Conference MVP in 1954. In 1955 he left college after the football season to become a naval aviator in Pensacola Fla. At the end of flight training, he chose to become a United States Marine Corps pilot. While in Pensacola he met and married his wife of 67 years Sue Downs McCoy.

 

He served his Country for 28 years as a United States Marine Corp Pilot.

 

He and his family had the opportunity to live and visit many states during his career. Colonel Anderson served 3 tours in Vietnam flying the CH-53 and CH 46 helicopters. He piloted the third Marine helicopter to land in Vietnam.

 

While flying hundreds of combat missions during these 3 tours, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, (4) Distinguished Flying Crosses, (2) Bronze Stars with Valor, (50) Air medals and numerous other citations.

 

Shortly after retiring from the Marines in 1983, he and his wife moved to Pensacola and started enjoying retirement with great friends, and engaging in many hobbies including golf, photography, stained glass construction, remodeling, wood turning, and travel around the US and the world. In 2005 after Hurricane Ivan, they moved to Fairfield Glade, TN. There they became very active in their church, met many new friends, and continued the enjoyment of golf, hobbies and travel. As their health declined, they moved to Georgia to be closer to family.

In retirement he was active serving with Veteran and Marine groups and on several country club and church committees. His computer skills were instrumental in helping their church, Christ Lutheran, upgrade their organization, enhance communication, and build and install modern sound systems.

 

He is survived by his wife, Sue McCoy Anderson, two children, daughter Terri Byrum (Gary) of Virginia Beach, Va, son Mike Anderson (Cindy) of Pawleys Island, SC

 

Four Grandchildren, Stephen Anderson (Cari) of Peachtree City, Ga, Morgan Byrum Myrick (Lake) of Virginia Beach, Va., Katie Anderson Ellington (Lance) of Thomaston Ga, Becca Byrum (Sean), Athens, Al.

 

Eight Great Grandchildren, Emma Kate, Maddie, Kristopher, William, Lucy, Lillian, Anderson, and Lennox.