Thomas Oliver Anderson Jr

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“A Time to Be Born” Ecclesiastes 3:2

Thomas Oliver Anderson, Jr. was born to the union of the late Thomas O Anderson, Sr. and Mattie Burden Anderson-Bailey, August 27th, 1948 in Mobile Alabama. Thomas Anderson passed March 6th, 2023, in Riverside California. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents, Stepfather, Elmer Jack Bailey, Sr. Grandparents, Vernon Branch, Ernestine Coleman Burden and sister Ghika Anderson Davis, Niece Tawayla Davis McCoy Cousin Anthony (Tony) Diaz.

“A Time to Live” Isaiah 38:16

Thomas Anderson accepted Christ at an early age and was an Altar Boy at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Maysville, a community of Mobile Alabama. Sundays, he attended church with his grandmother. Weekdays, his grandmother would wake him up to escort her to 6 am Mass. He grew to appreciate attending Mass and the one-on-one time he spent with his grandmother.

He started playing sports, at an early age, on the playground across the street from his grandmother’s house. Thomas graduated from Williamson Highschool in 1966. During his time at Williamson High School, he played Baseball and Football. He earned 2 letters in baseball and 3 letters in football. While at Williamson High School, he played on two State Championship Football teams. He was selected to the All-City Football team as a Defensive End. His Junior and Senior years, he was selected to the All-Star Baseball team as a right fielder.

Thomas Anderson arrived on the campus of Alabama A&M University in the fall of 1966 with a Football Scholarship in one hand and a Baseball Scholarship in the other hand. In his freshman year at AAMU he played on the 1966 SIAC Championship Football team. He was a 2-year started on the Baseball team and a 3-year started on the Football team during his time at AAMU.

At AAMU he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts Education. He also received his Master’s at AAMU in Trade and Industrial Education. He also received a Master’s of Education, emphasis School Management, University La Verne in La Verne California.

Thomas met his wife, Vera McGuire, his Senior year, and her freshman year at Alabama A&M in 1971. They married December 22, 1974. They moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1974 and lived there for 7 years. They relocated to Southern California in 1980.

“A Time to Serve” Galatians 5:13

Thomas Anderson pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated in 1970 at his college AAMU. His line was known as the “Magnificent 7”. Thomas would stay active in Kappa Alpha Psi throughout the decades. He was also an active member of the Riverside Alumni Chapter and he just celebrated his 50th anniversary of being a member of the prestigious fraternity in 2020. Thomas Anderson retired an educator after 39 years of service, which 35 of those years was with Perris Union High School District. During that time, he was State President of the California Association of Work Experience Educators, he was the first African American elected to that position and served for 2 terms. He also served as a Counselor at the University of California Riverside for the National Youth Sports Program.

“A Time to Mourn” Ecclesiastes 3:4

Thomas Anderson is survived by: his loving wife of 49 years, Vera Anderson. 3 sons: El Russia Lekel, Thomas (Tommy) Branch of Moreno Valley CA.  Timothy (Tim) Vernon (Shernae), Perris CA. 5 Grandchildren: Jazmine, Jayden, Ryann, McKenzie, and Marley Anderson. 1 Sister, Deborah (Curtis) Flakes. 2 Brothers: Elmer J. Bailey Jr. and Raymond A. Bailey. Niece: Charo (Robert) Jefferson, Frisco, Texas, Ernestine (Ronald) Robinson, Japan. Nephews: Curtis Michael Flakes Jr., Kyle Branch Flakes, Mobile AL. Clifton (Passionate) Davis III, Nashville, Tenn. Great Niece, Myracle McCoy, Winnetka, CA. Goddaughter Michelle (Sammie) Grace. Devoted Cousins: Clifton Burden, Detroit, Michigan, Warren (Madonna) Burden, Daphne (Lionel) Smith, Delicia (Carl) Fuller, Alice and Velma Diaz, Anthony Burden II. 1 Aunt Fannie Burden, all from Mobile, Alabama. Ruth (Otis) Rameseur, North Carolina. 1 sister-in-law Claudia McGuire Butler, Brundidge, AL. and a host of relatives and friends.