Samuel Burney Anderson II

Samuel Burney "Rusty" Anderson, II, born January 5th, 1930, passed away on December 17, 2018. By anyone's standards, Sam lived an amazing life. After gradutaing from Arlington Heights High School in 1948, he served his country in the Navy and completed over 100 landings on the U.S.S. Kittyhawk. After serving about 20 years in the military, he was wounded in the Vietnam war and retired as a Flight Engineer Instructor. After retiring from the military, Sam started his own pool company and, in his spare time, enjoyed golf and scuba diving. He golfed all over the world, from Alaska to Australia. His favorite scuba diving spots were the barrier reef off of the Australian coastline and Cozumel, Mexico. Sam and Lee purchased a 52-foot sailboat that they were going to cruise the world, but this was capsized in the Carribean during the 'Perfect Storm' of 1990. They floated on debris to the Mexico coastline where they were rescued by locals and decided to build their dream home and stay on land with friends and family. Sam expressed how grateful he was for all of the exciting adventures he experienced throughout his life, but in his last moments on earth he was enjoying his favorite pastime of all - holding the hand of his wife.

Sam is survived by Sandra (Lee) Anderson, his wife of 31 years. Along with Lee, he leaves behind daughter April Anderson Hudson and husband Todd, his son Richard Adam Anderson and wife Katherine, son Thomas Keith Anderson, step-daughter Amy Skinner Beckman and husband David, and step-daughter Jennifer Skinner Hall and husband Waylon. Sam is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and fellow military service members. Sam was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest son L. B. (Andy) Anderson.

A small military service will be held in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie on Wednesday, January 9th at 11:00am. In leiu of flowers, Sam expressed his wishes that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) in his honor.