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Francis “Duke” W. Anderson Jr., 69, of Chehalis, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 15 from the ICU at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. The Lord blessed him and his family with 23 additional years together after he survived a cardiac arrest in June 2002.
A lifelong Chehalis resident, he married his high school sweetheart, Debby Bodin, in November 1973. He built them a home in 1979, and a favorite pastime was working on their five acres. He particularly enjoyed growing pumpkins, harvesting honey, and pressing apple cider for the grandkids, who loved helping him.
In 1977, Duke graduated at the top of his class when he received his certification following a four-year carpenter’s apprenticeship program in Olympia. He joined the union for 10 years and worked for local contractors until he started in business for himself. Duke Anderson Construction Co. did commercial work and built many quality homes for residents in several Washington counties. He took pride in knowing his craftsmanship would remain as evidence of his lifelong work, long after he was gone.
Duke was always in his element in the great outdoors. He loved the tranquil peace and beauty of undisturbed nature and felt God’s presence most often during these times. He lived for his out-of-state big game hunts and displayed many impressive mounts in The Outdoor Sports Shop, a business Duke and Debby started in 1996 and operated for 10 years before selling it in 2006.
Surviving family includes his loving wife of 52 years, Debby Bodin Anderson; a son, Allen Ray; a son, Kevin Daniel (Kayla); three granddaughters, Allie, Maddy, and Indy; a grandson, Duke; and a sister, Brenda Lee Lowery.
He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Anderson Sr.; his mother, Ella Beatrice Anderson; his daughter, Calee Frances Anderson; his sister, Sandra Marie; his brothers, Wayne Francis and Dale Marvin; his grandparents; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service honoring Duke will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Grace Church in Chehalis. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a nonprofit of your choice.
