Anderson, Rusell Lee, Jr.
Birth: Thursday, July 01, 1954 in Jacksonville, Florida
Residence: Hollywood, Maryland
Death: Sunday, March 15, 2020 at the age of 65
Laid to Rest: in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
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AMH1 Russell Lee Anderson Jr., USN (Ret.), 65, of Hollywood, MD passed away on March 15, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 1, 1954 in Jacksonville, FL to the late Russell Lee Anderson Sr. and Patricia Ann Taylor Anderson.

Russ is a retired veteran of the United States Navy were he gave over 20 years of dedication and support to his country until his honorable discharge in November 1993. He was employed for the past 20 years as a government contractor doing sheet metal fabrication, most recently for AECOM. On August 14, 2004, Russ married his beloved wife, Phyllis Jeanette Anderson at the VFW in California, MD. Together they celebrated over 15 wonderful years of marriage.

One word describes Russ, Service! Service to country, Service to family and Service to others!

He comes from a Navy family where his father and two brothers served as well. His Navy career spanned from the Vietnam era through Desert Storm serving as a hydraulics mechanic and flight engineer on the P3 and S3 fleets. He crossed the Equator and Artic Circle as he travelled around various places of the world including Iceland/Greenland, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America while stationed at NAS Patuxent River, NAS Brunswick, NAS Jacksonville/Cecil Field and Naval Base, Mayport where he was stationed on the USS America. . He was also a member of the Retired P3 Flight Engineers group locally.

His family meant the world to him! There was always a lesson to be taught about appreciating simple things like birds, butterflies, bugs and solar/lunar eclipses or how to fix a bike, how to plant and grow a garden, how to repair the car, a history lesson or how to cook some of his famous recipes including chili, various soups, New England clam chowder, Shepherd's Pie, smoked pork shoulder and many others. He experimented with spice rubs while smoking meats and developed a barbecue style of his own. Using this background, he became a certified barbecue judge in Florida and North Carolina to share his knowledge with others. He also was an avid Boy Scout as he grew up and served as Cub Master for his son's local Troop. He enjoyed teaching survival skills such as what to eat, how to build a lean-to or fire and how to cook his gourmet meals to enhance the camping experience. Some of his fondest memories of the Scouts was attending various Boy Scout Jamborees where he traded badges and developed friendships.

Russ always felt strongly that service to others was an integral part of life. He did this through his commitment to organizations like the Boy Scouts and others. He was an active long time member of the Moose Lodge 2393 and served in various capacities including past District 1 president; past treasurer for the VFW Post 2632; member of the Fleet Reserve Unit 93 and the American Legion Post 255. He could always be found helping with the local dinners, participating in the conventions, and dressing as Santa and Mrs. Claus (with his wife) for the children at Christmas.

In addition to his beloved wife, Russ is also survived by his children: LeeAnn Desmarais and husband, Rob, of Shrewsbury, MA, Russell Lee Anderson III and wife, Amy, of Hollywood, MD, and Elizabeth Sara Anderson and husband, Corey Hunter, of Hollywood, MD; his step-children, Brandy McNeal and husband, Sean, of Chaptico, MD and Chrissy Lane of California, MD; his siblings: Barbara Byers and husband, Frank, of Newton, NC and Susan Rogers of Millbury, MA, and Charles Anderson and wife, Patty, of Millbury, MA; and his grandchildren: Ashley Desmarais, Alyssa Desmarais, Tyler Hildreth, Chase Anderson, Lucy Anderson, Leah Hunter, Max Hunter, Lindsay McNeal, Hailey McNeal, and Jackson Weeks; and ex-wife and life-long friend, Jacqualyn Anderson; and many extended family and friends. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by his brother, Robert Anderson and brothers-in-law, James McLeod and Paul Rogers.

When honoring a fallen soldier, he often wrote, Fair Winds and Following Seas! Others have the watch, now!

All Services Private. Interment will be celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Maryland-Delaware-DC Maryland House Mooseheart Child City and School, Inc., 255 James J. David Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539 at https://www.moosecharities.org/support-mooseheart-programs/. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, PA
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