Leamon Jefferson Anderson passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. He was born April 25, 1926, in Kountze, and was the oldest of eighteen children born to Tom and Irene Anderson.

Leamon retired from the Mobil Oil Refinery, Beaumont, in 1985 after thirty-two years of service as a machinist and maintenance planner.  He served in the United States Army from 1944-46.  For many years, he was a member of the Hardin County Game Preserve and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Additionally, he built three homes and was a skilled finish carpenter and furniture maker.

He accepted Jesus as his Savior in 1966 and served his Lord faithfully for forty-eight years, living out the forgiven life.  From 1966 to 1985, he was a member of Pine Burr Baptist Church, Beaumont, and served as a Deacon in that congregation.  From 1985 until his passing, he was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Milam, serving as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and member of the choir.  In addition, he was a member of Gideons International, faithfully fulfilling the Lord’s call upon his life.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-nine years, Velma (Jordan) Anderson, They were married July 22, 1944, in Kountze.  He is also survived by their three children, Lynda McElroy and her husband Jack, of Beaumont; Don Anderson and his wife, Brenda, of Brookeland; and Cary Anderson of Hemphill; three sisters, Marie Eaves, Ruth Ellen Harringtion, and Martha Douty; nine brothers, Thomas Anderson, J.D. Anderson, Mitchell Anderson, Noel Anderson, Leroy Anderson, Dwight Anderson, A.J. Anderson, Lester Anderson, Alton Anderson; six grandchildren, Kim Dixon, Bret Meinscher, Jeffrey Anderson, Amanda Anderson, Leamon Anderson, and Jodie Finken; and eight great-grandchildren, Kayla Meinscher, Courtney Meinscher, Aaron Dixon, Sarah Anderson, Alissa Anderson, Jaxson Mosley, Emmelyn Anderson, and Graham Finken.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Irene Anderson; brothers, William, Gilbert, Chester, and Clarence; and sister, Jewel.

A gathering of Mr. Anderson’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze.  His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Old Hardin Cemetery, Kountze.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in Leamon’s name to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 441, Hemphill, Texas  75948.