Anderson, Thomas Ray Dr. 1935 - 2023
ANDERSON, FORSTALL, KIMMES, COOROUGH, HENRY, MCCABE, BAKER, BEARD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45
Dr. Thomas Ray Anderson, 87, formerly of North Fort Myers, FL and Decorah, IA passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. He was born on November 19, 1935, in Traer, IA to Thomas S. and Mary M. Anderson. He graduated from West Waterloo High School in 1954, where he played basketball and baseball, earned his Pre-med degree from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA, and his Podiatric Medicine Degree from the William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, IL. He was self-employed in private practice for 30 years before selling his practice to Tweeten/Lutheran Health Care Center of Spring Grove, MN, but he remained practicing in Decorah, IA. His practice was later acquired by Gundersen Lutheran Health System.
Tom served as President of the Iowa Podiatric Medical Society. He was a member of the Decorah Jaycees, the Decorah Chamber of Commerce, a past Master of the Masonic Lodge, served 5 years on the Decorah Elks Lodge Board of Trustees, served two years on the Advisory Board of Trustees of the William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, was a past chairman of the administrative board of the United Methodist Church in Decorah. He was a member of Oneota Country Club for many years. He also helped initiate the Ulster Project in Decorah that invited 6 Catholic and 6 Protestant 15-year-old children from Northern Ireland to Decorah for the month of July each summer.
He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was joyful and a friend to all who met him. His recall of details of the people he met was impressive. He continued to share his podiatry wisdom with his family until the end. He shared the story of how in high school he was having issues with his feet and his parents took him to a Podiatrist and it helped him so much he decided that it was what he wanted to do with his life. His love of storytelling will live on with his family and his laughter and presence will be sorely missed at our annual gathering of the Anderfam Reunion.
Tom was married to Ann Anderson on July 25, 1992 and they enjoyed 31 years together. Tom is survived by three children: Tami (Greg) Forstall, Timothy Anderson, Teri (Kevin) Kimmes and daughter-in-law Terry Anderson: three step children: Timothy (Danette) Coorough, Randall (Cara) Coorough and Kristi Henry: his grandchildren: Sarah (Chris) McCabe, Thomas (Jessica) Anderson III, Blake Anderson, Stephanie, Gabrielle and Savannah Forstall; Vanessa (Jason) Baker, Anthony (Maddy) Kimmes; Tanner, Alexis and Jeremiah Anderson; Coorough grandchildren: Jason, Trever, Alyssa, Casey, Claire and Elise; Gabriel Henry and Abigail Henry; and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Helen L. Beard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Anderson, his only sibling, James Anderson, his granddaughter, Jessica Anderson, and his son, Thomas R Anderson II.
Tom and Ann retired to a beautiful home they built in North Fort Myers, FL and made many lifelong friends in their Sabal Springs community where he also worked as a security guard for several years. At their beloved New Hope Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers, Tom was very active in Bible Study, Sunday School and as an Usher. He enjoyed golfing and was proud to share that he had two holes in one.
A Memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm, Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Helms Funeral Home in Decorah with Rev. Randy Kittelson officiating. Visitation will follow until 3:00 pm.
Burial will be held at Phelps Cemetery following the visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at donate.lovetotherescue.org.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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