Charles E. "Andy" Anderson, Jr.

Charles E. \"Andy\" Anderson Andy passed away in the early morning hours on Friday, January 26, 2018 after a two-year valiant fight with Scleroderma and aHUS. While his road was long and arduous, we were thankful to have spent each and every single day with him. We invite friends to visit and celebrate Andy's life on Monday, January 29 from 5-7 pm at Rose Neath Bossier on Airline Drive. A family ceremony will follow in the coming weeks to spread his ashes at the family farm. Andy was born on August 30, 1956 to Charles and Madeline Anderson. He was lovingly described by his mother as "not a pretty baby" but eventually overcame that curse to become a handsome and well-liked young man. He graduated from Airline High School in 1974 where he played football and was given the title of Mr. AHS. He called Bossier City his home for his entire life. He spent his career working as a Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist, running the heart-lung machine during heart surgery, at every hospital system in the area. His annual hospital Christmas dinner of Red Beans and Rice will be universally missed. In a cruel twist of fate, he found himself in need of the very service he provided for decades and had a specific set of instructions for everyone in the room. As usual, they listened to his orders and knowingly laughed right along with him. Andy never met a stranger and never failed to charm all those who were lucky enough to know him. He was gracious, kind, and generous and prided himself on these qualities. He was the kind of guy that smiled not only with his mouth but also with his eyes. If he wasn't working (seemingly always), he was at the family "farm" getting ready for the next big hunt or doing something else he decided "needed" to be done. The farm was part of his soul, and the work there was important. There was tractor-ing to be done, something to be planted, and instructions to be given to anyone in earshot. His annual dove hunt was not to be missed. There may not have been a lot of dove every year, but there was plenty to eat and drink! Andy made sure no one ever went home hungry or thirsty from any function he hosted whether it be at the farm or elsewhere. His other passion in life was definitely shooting guns. Anyone who spent more than an hour talking to Andy knew he was a gun enthusiast, to put it lightly. He was an excellent shot and could shoot a wasp off a burning gas lantern (he actually tried) or just about anything you could imagine near or far. His love for his family was only rivaled by his love for shooting. He could talk about guns forever, and you could see the smile and joy in his eyes whenever the subject came up which was often. Andy was preceded in death by both of his parents, his beloved sister, Gretchen Tatum, as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Andy is survived by his wife of 25 years, cheerleader, best friend, and purveyor of positive thoughts, Alissa Anderson. He is survived by his son Brad Anderson and wife, Shannon; daughter Brittney Anderson and fiancé Richard Jacobson; son Brandon Pearce and partner, Christina Garcia; and daughter Caroline Pearce and partner, Davey Brewton. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ashley Hudson, Josh Jordan, Payton Anderson, and Penelope Pearce as well as great grandchildren, Brylee and Baylor Hudson and Josie Jordan. He is also survived by nephews Seth and Austin Tatum of Rison, Arkansas, and brother in law Daryl and Kay Sears and family. His immediate and extended family will cherish his memory and the light in his eyes as they think of all the wonderful years spent with him. He will be terribly missed by a whole host of friends, family, and colleagues. The family would like to thank all the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff that cared for Andy over the years. Your commitment to his care provided steadfast hope in dim times and comfort during the darkest of hours. Without all of you, we would not have had those precious extra years with him. Thank you. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Andy's name to the Christus Foundation designated to the Cancer Treatment Center at 7591 Fern Avenue, Suite 1903, Shreveport, LA 71103 or www.christusfoundationsb.org.