Melvin Wayne Anders

Melvin Wayne “Pinky” Anders, 72, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25, 2017 in Houston, TX due to a lengthy illness. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, friend to many, and child of God. Pinky was born in Freeport, TX on August 11, 1944, to Alfred Logan and Flora Mae Anders and spent his younger days in Velasco, TX.

Pinky was proud to be a Velasco Seagull where sports were always his passion. It began with Little League where valuable life lessons were learned from Mr. Ed Pisklak. He moved on to serve as quarterback of the last Seagull football team. Later, as a Brazosport Exporter, he earned all-district honors in football, baseball, and basketball, quarterbacking the 1961 football team to a 3-way tie for district champs. His love of football led him to an athletic scholarship at Lamar Tech where he played during his freshman year. He went on to earn his BS in business administration from the University of Houston.

After graduating, Pinky worked at Dow Chemical for 32 years and has served as bailiff to Judge Ben Hardin in his retirement years. In his spare time he loved to golf with the 11:02 group, travelled the world with his family, and was an avid Houston Cougar.

In 1966, Pinky married the love of his life, Barbara Bryan, and they celebrated their 50-year anniversary in 2016 with a special trip to Ireland. In 1967, Robin Annette joined their family, followed by Holly Bryn 5 ½ later. Pinky loved them both, following all their school and extracurricular activities. He was a true Texas Cheerleader Dad. They both had a special relationship with him which lasted into their adult years. Robin then married her husband, Jimmie Lapier and later their twin sons, Scott and Blake Lapier joined the family. Holly’s son, Chase Ross, completed this group of grandsons so special to their Pop. The summer of 2016 found Pinky dancing at both grandsons’ weddings as Blake married Robyn and Scott married Emily.

Pinky loved participating in all 3 boys’ activities and sports. Saturday was movie day for Chase and Pop, and he always attended the twins’ games. A real highlight for him was in 2011 when the twins Buc baseball team won the Texas 5A High School Baseball Championship. However, no one was prouder than Pinky to watch Chase walk across the stage getting a special award at First Colony Middle School.

Later years found him following his father-in-law’s Brazoswood Bucaneer teams as a member of a group of fans loving called “The Posse.” They attended as many games as possible, always sitting away from the crowd where they critiqued the games as they progressed.

Pinky’s spiritual journey led him to Brazospointe Fellowship where he loved to serve. Whether it was serving on a mission trip to Mexico or Louisiana or helping a fellow small group member repair his house after a flood, he loved to help others. Serving donuts on Sunday mornings and participating in Servolution were some of his favorite projects. He especially loved telling stories about the children in Mexico with whom he played ball, and the birthday party he attended in the mountain village.

Pinky is predeceased by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Helen and L. Z. Bryan, and a number of cousins, aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara and daughters Robin (Jimmie) Lapier, and Holly Ross; grandsons Scott (Emily) Lapier, Blake (Robyn) Lapier, and Chase Ross. He will also be missed by cousins, Jeanne Murchison and son Robert Watkins, Andrew Anders, Tim Anders, and Ashley Binnion.

Active pall bearers will be Ron Pisklak, Mike Tracy, Doyce Etheridge, Larry Bryan, Jimmie Lapier, and John Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers Chases Ross, nephews, Ernie Mensik, Joe Rinehart, D. C. Boston, Percy Gaspard, Roger Bill Dickey, Don Pisklak, Bo Burris, Ken Jones, Tony Gryseels, Judge Ben Hardin, coworkers from the court house and friends of Bill W.

The family would like to thank all who sent encouraging messages, took care of Trixie, brought food, sent snacks, donations, gift cards, loved on us during the past 6 ½ months of Pinky’s illness. A special thanks to the Pisklak, Hodges, and Gilbert families and the small groups at Brazospointe Fellowship and Delta Kappa Gamma for going the extra mile for our family. The Visitation will be held at Brazos Pointe Fellowship on Monday February 27, 2017 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

The Funeral Service will be held at Brazos Pointe Fellowship on Tuesday February 28, 2017 starting at 10:00am, with the graveside to follow at Restwood Memorial Park.