Stephen Paul Anderson passed away peacefully at home on November 19th, 2024, after a protracted battle with cancer surrounded by his loving wife Kimberley of 45 years and his children. With patience, support, and kindness he raised his beautiful family of six children with an abiding heart.

Born in Three Rivers, MI on July 15th, 1951, Stephen hit the ground running as the bustling middle child of Gerald Tyler Anderson and Evelyn Lucille Snyder Anderson, preceded in birth by his older sister Ruth Ellyn and followed by his younger brother Nathan. Living a simple life in a small midwestern town, Stephen took naturally to sports embracing football and hockey with much aplomb. This active lifestyle continued as he grew into a man and played football and hockey in college, and later added the joy of tennis to his life, which continued until he was unable to comfortably traverse the tennis courts just a couple short years ago. 

Never one to shy away from hard work even from a young age, he put himself through college, while also playing football and hockey for his college teams, and as a member of the college ROTC program. He continued with that drive and perseverance upon graduation from Wheaton College, when he enrolled in John Marshall Law School and worked his way through to earn his Juris Doctorate before being commissioned to military service in the Army as a financial officer at Vint Hill Farms Station in Warrenton, VA. This is where he met Kimberley, and the Anderson family began. 

The Anderson family started organically with first Aubrey and then Jonathan and in later years grew to include Abigail, Elijah, Micah, and Paul through the route of adoption, a true blessing to the Anderson clan. As the family grew, Heather married Jonathan, and Bill married Aubrey, adding even more love and connection to the family tree. Steve loved and nurtured each of his children and their interests from the beginning, be it as a youth group leader, Scout leader, soccer supporter, music enthusiast, or reciting numbers of pi to at least 30 digits. He rose to any occasion to support his family and did so with the greatest joy. In later years, the smiles elicited by his grandchildren Olivia, Benjamin, Maisie, Willa, and Soren were proof positive that his family was his greatest accomplishment and one that he took great pride in. 

While family was his most prized possession, he was also fairly accomplished in other arenas. He was a Veteran with eight years of service in the Army and continued his service to the nation as a contract lawyer for the Navy at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for thirty years before retiring. He was highly interested in the flora and fauna of his chosen home of Smithfield and worked eagerly as a Master Naturalist, supporting integration of indigenous plants to the area and offering his expertise to other budding Naturalists, boy scouts, and anyone with a need. 

Stephen Paul Anderson was a loving, steadfast, and humble husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. He opened his heart to many and gave the love needed from him, rather than impressing his wants and needs on his family. He embraced the many challenges he faced in life with a strong heart and mind and cared unendingly about the wants and needs of family and friends until the end. To say he will be missed is an understatement, and indeed we look forward to celebrating his legacy for many years to come. 

 We will gather in celebration of his life on November 25, 2024, at Bacon’s Castle Baptist Church in Surry, a place that was near and dear to his heart for almost 30 years. He loved the Lord, and he loved his church family. He was involved in serving until he physically no longer could.  Visitation will begin at 10AM with the memorial at 11AM, and a reception to follow. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers that you consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or planting a native tree or plant.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.