Tom Anderson

Tom Anderson, 59, passed away peacefully at his home in Waynesville, North Carolina on April 1, 2023.

He was born in Story City, Iowa on January 21, 1964 to Emily (Johnson) and Charles Anderson. Tom was a 1982 graduate of Rolfe High School.

“As a kid” in Rolfe, he launched a wildly successful lawn-mowing business. Perhaps the size of the town and lack of competition aided that success, but his attention to detail and absolute perfection were appreciated by his clients. His business boomed when he turned 14, acquired a moped and learned he could pull his lawnmower to the other side of town, leave it, go back and get the gas can, and mow all day. His sister Kay was soon recruited to help in the business.

Throughout his life, he talked about those who influenced his early days in Pocahontas County. He loved being from Rolfe, and could recall most every resident in the town, as well as the names of their dogs. He was a rowdy kid, and also had a heart of gold. In high school, he excelled in music and served as the lead trumpet player in all the bands, and especially loved marching band.

Tom spent most of his adult life living in Katy, Texas. There he met and married Kathy Wilson (div. 2008) and they welcomed a glorious baby in 1998 who was given the name Laura Michelle.

Tom had a 30-year career with the Texas division of Hallett Construction. While with Hallett, he built tremendous relationships with staff, truck drivers and vendors. He was a devoted employee and was passionate about stabilized sand, gravel pits, conveyer belts, and telling stories about the many people with whom he worked and interacted.

In 2016, Tom relocated to Western North Carolina and was welcomed into an amazing community, meeting some of his closest friends through his work and association with Skyland Camp & Retreats.

Living in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains suited Tom well and he was able to again experience the joys of small-town living where he could wear his favorite Carhartt gear wherever he went. He loved NASCAR, watching Barn Wood Builders, perfecting culinary projects, and honing his exceptional woodworking skills.

Tom was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents. Left to cherish his

memory are his parents Emily and Charles Anderson of Story City, Iowa, child Levi (Laura) Anderson of Katy, Texas, sister Kay Anderson & sister-in-law Sherry Brown of Clyde, North Carolina, many cousins, long-lost acquaintances, and some extremely devoted friends living in his western North Carolina community.

To read more about Tom, share memories and see photos, visit www.SkylandCamp.com/Tom.

In lieu of flowers, the family donations made to Skyland Camp & Retreats, PO Box 128, Clyde, NC 28721.