Thomas Louis Anderson

Born June 10, 1933 in Newton Falls, Ohio, he was the son of Louis D. and Anna V. Annos. He was one of six children and had a close and loving relationship with his parents, his two sisters and three older brothers.

Upon the sudden death of his mother, Tom attended Howe Military Academy as a pre-teen and graduated from Newton Falls High School. He attended Kent State University prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force. He trained at Lackland Air Force Base and served at Bryan Air Force Base as a basic airman in the 3530th Squadron. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1954 to return home to Newton Falls to oversee and operate his family’s businesses (a confectionery, a soda fountain and a record store) due to his father’s failing health. While managing all of this, Tom also served in the Air Force Reserve and attended barber school and opened a community barber shop in his hometown.

In 1956 he married the love of his life, Mary Katherine Young Anderson. He was most proud of his 68-year marriage to Katherine, his daughter, Cheryl A. Anderson (Sean D. McLaughlin) and grandson, Thomas “Tom” E. Woodward.

In 1965, he sold his businesses and moved his family to Columbia, South Carolina where his sister, Sophia “BeBe” A. Mosack and brother, James “Jim” L. Annos resided. Here Tom opened and owned Tom’s Barber Shop on Jackson Boulevard in Columbia for 10+ years.

In 1976, Tom founded, owned and operated Anderson Alarm Company, an independent community leader in home security installation and monitoring in Columbia, SC. He was an industry trailblazer in the 80’s - with his designing and invention of a portable security enunciator, Door Guard ®. In 1992 he retired and sold his company to National Guardian Security Services Inc.

Tom and Katherine are longtime parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Columbia. In addition to his faith commitments, Tom had many passions and talents, one of his favorites was fishing and hosting neighborhood fish fries. He and Katherine enjoyed participating in the annual Flounder Tournament at Murrells Inlet with his beloved sister BeBe. Tom and Katherine were known for capturing 1st place in the tournament on many occasions, perhaps attributed to his using his triple hook rig that he proudly created! As an owner and operator of numerous small businesses, Tom was a jack-of-all-trades and could build or fix nearly anything. If he wasn’t fishing, he was most likely working on a project around the house or in his garage.

Spending time with Tom on fishing trips, on the dock enjoying the lake at home, or while he was occupied with his many fix-it interests were always light-hearted and uplifting times because of Tom’s quick wit and jokes. He was always at the ready to string along a series of quick quips faster than he could the fish coming off his line!

Tom is survived by his wife, daughter, grandson, and son-in-law who all reside in Columbia, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews and their extended families. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers: William “Bill” J. Dolney, James “Jim” L. Annos, Leon “Lee” D. Anderson and his sisters: Mildred “Millie” D. Melcher and Sophia “BeBe” A. Mosack.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 28, 2024, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.