Melvin Jerrald “Mel” Anderson, 81, Carthage, Missouri died peacefully Sunday, April 28, 2024, at his home. He was born February 25, 1943, in Carthage, Missouri to Frank and Madaline (Arnold) Anderson.
Mel graduated from Carthage High School in 1961. He attended Joplin Junior College and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Industrial Technology. He worked at Schreiber’s, Cardinal Scale, Vickers, and in 1984, was employed by Flex-O-Lators as a Quality Control Engineer until his retirement in 2009.
He married Julie Ferguson on September 2, 1977. God gave them two wonderful sons, Matthew (Alison) Anderson, Blythewood, South Carolina, and Michael (Heather) Anderson, Bentonville, Arkansas; and five beautiful grandchildren, Lily Thompson (David), Centerton, Arkansas, Mason Anderson, Bentonville, Arkansas, and Perrin, Everett, and Elliot Anderson, Blythewood, South Carolina. Mel is also survived by two brothers, Deno Anderson (Marty), Carthage, Missouri, and Pat Anderson (Susan), Webb City, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Mary Kay Ross (Kenny), Springfield, Missouri, and Diann Ferguson, Carthage, Missouri; several nieces and nephews, and many loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenny, and John Anderson; a sister, Melva; his father in-law, Richard Ferguson; mother in-law, Twila Ferguson; and a brother-in-law, Ron Ferguson.
Mel was a Scoutmaster for Troop 223 at Grace Church for 23 years. He worked with 18 scouts to get their Eagle Scout rank. Mel was a Master Gardener and loved to garden, quite possibly making the best salsa ever! He was a woodcarver for several years, and loved fishing and always looked forward and hardly missed an opening day at Roaring River.
Memorial services will be held at 2 pm, Friday, May 3, 2024, at Grace Episcopal Church. The family suggests contributions to The Labyrinth Grace Church Bible Garden, in care of the Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the Knell Mortuary.
