Keith Anderson

Keith Anderson, 76, of Bozeman passed away Wednesday July 15, 2009. #8220;When the going gets tough, the tough get going#8221; was a favorite saying of his and is an example of how he lived his life and how he faced his life with cancer. Keith was born on June 20, 1933 in Fargo, North Dakota, a son to Ervin and Lorraine (Dunford) Anderson. He moved to Bozeman in 1940. Keith was raised with a strong work ethic and started working at the age of ten. In high school, he was a quarterback for the Gallatin County Hawks football team in 1951. He was also on the first American Legion baseball team to ever win a state championship in 1948. He graduated from Gallatin County High in 1951. He then enlisted into the US Navy with eight of his high school friends. He served in the Korean War, and after his discharge on August 5, 1955, he met Dixie Edwards. The two were married on September 10, 1955 in Long Beach, California. Keith started school at Montana State University and then moved back to southern California. While Keith was working for Pacific Lumber, he delivered lumber to John Wayne#8217;s home. One of his favorite memories was of meeting John Wayne. All four of Keith and Dixie#8217;s children were born in California. In 1970, he moved back to Bozeman with his family, where he managed the city taxi and ambulance service. At that time, he began to serve on the Rental Development, Inc. Board of Directors, which he served on until his death. Keith later went to work for Edsall Construction, retiring in 1995. He served as the Commander of American Legion Post 14 for two years as well as volunteering over 25 years and serving as the Commander for the Color/Honor Guard for the Legion for 13 years, coordinating funerals for veterans and other events. He served ten years on American Legion Housing Board of Directors and five years on the American Legion Post 14 Board of Directors. He also served 18 volunteer years for the American Legion baseball team. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dixie and his son, Ricky. Survivors include his children, Cheryl Anderson, Randall (Shelley) Anderson, and Rodney Anderson; grandchildren, Miranda Gibson, Jesse Gibson, Cole Gibson, Jakob Dwyer, Ricky Anderson, KaCey Anderson, and Jadeen Anderson; five great-grandchildren, and his close personal friend, Beverly Novick. A Celebration of Keith#8217;s life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2009 at the Eagles Lodge in Bozeman. Memorials may be made in his name to the American Legion Post 14 Baseball Team, P.O. Box 936, Bozeman, MT 59771 or to the Bozeman Hawks Football Team, 205 N 11th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715. Keith#8217;s friends knew they were appreciated because of his motto, #8220;No fakes, no liars and no ugly women.#8221;