Scott Anderson, affectionately known as "Papa", came into this world on Valentine's Day—February 14th 1951—and departed on Independence Day—July 4th 2012—at the age of 61. Born to Harvey Bernard Anderson and Minerva Eugenia Jorgenson from Prosser, Washington; Scott spent his youth on his father's farm and orchard. One of his father's best "farmhands," he raised the family's cattle and cultivated the fruit, while spending his free-time dominating local sports and winning go-cart races. Scott graduated from Benton City High school in 1969. Soon after, he attended the University of Washington. After a transfer to pursue a new educational path, Blue Mountain Community College matriculated Scott with degrees in business and air traffic control. Scott volunteered to join the Air Force during the war in Vietnam. And from 1972-1974, he served as a flight engineer, providing essential supplies for troops on the ground and performing mid-air jet refueling. Upon receiving a hardship release in 1974 due to the death of his father, Scott came home to take care of the family farm. Duty and love for his family was a theme that permeated his entire life. Soon after returning home, Scott took a serendipitous trip to a Benton City football game, where he met his wife and best friend for life—Cherese T. Renz. After seven months of courtship, they married on November 26, 1974. Together they had four daughters and shared a devoted, passionate romance that few have been blessed to experience. Scott's life was dedicated to providing for his family and friends; to ensure this, he established two successful businesses Northwest Farm Management and 4D "4 Daughters" Trucking Inc, as well as developed a tremendously successful realty practice. Part of his acumen as a business man always rested in his renowned reputation for honesty, fairness, and generosity. He cared for every employee, helped former employees start their own businesses, actively sought to provide work for whole families, and took special interest in aiding his employees' children in their pursuit of a college education. Although Scott often presented a gruff exterior to the public, he was one of the kindest, most gentile, and most giving souls that has every graced this earth; especially when it came to children. This love for children was most readily apparent in the daycare center that he established in his office. He was a proud grandfather of six and spent most of his leisure time taking those grandchildren to appointments, picking them up from school, attending their athletic events, and taking them to Disneyland or Cannon Beach.
Scott was a jokester at heart, known for his practical jokes, his silly faces, and the songs he liked to sing throughout his house. And even though he typically showed his affection through teasing, his immediate family often experienced his sincere expression of love. Everyone has a funny story that focused on Scott, which will continue to keep his memory alive. Scott is survived by his wife, Cherese Anderson, his daughter Melinda McBee and her husband Michael McBee, his daughter Cheren Housley and her husband Tyler Housley, his daughter Marissa McAbee and her husband David McAbee, and his daughter Elyse Anderson and her partner Mary Warrick, his grandchildren Michael McBee, MeiLani McBee, Mataeo McBee, Kellan McAbee, Rowynn McAbee, and Lily Housley, his brother Mike Anderson and his family, his in-laws George Renz and Naomi Renz, as well as numerous brother-in-laws, sister in-laws, and nieces/nephews. Scott was preceded in death by his father Harvey Bernard Anderson and mother Minerva Eugenia Jorgenson. The funeral service will be held at Bethel Church on Saturday the 14th of July at 2:00pm. Graveside service and a reception will be held at Memories at Sunset Event Center at Sunset Memorial Gardens immediately after. Memorial donations can be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, PO BOX 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.