Tazwell Leigh Anderson

Taz was born in Savannah, Georgia and was an outstanding athlete and is a member of both the Savannah and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Upon graduation from Savannah High School Taz made a decision that would truly define his life when he accepted a football scholarship to attend Georgia Tech to play under the tutelage of legendary coach Bobby Dodd.

As a member of the Rambling Wreck football team Taz exhibited amazing versatility. He was the starting halfback as a sophomore, the starting fullback as a junior, and the starting end as senior. Such was his skill that he was selected a pre-season All-American end his senior year without ever having played the position for the Yellow Jackets. Prior to his senior year however, he suffered what was to be the first of many injuries. He was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. Anderson graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Management in 1961.

He was drafted to play professional football by the Cleveland Browns and subsequently traded to the St. Louis Cardinals where he played tight end. He was named the Cardinals Rookie of the Year in 1961. During the off season he worked to supplement his income pursuing a career in commercial real estate. In 1965 he joined the Atlanta Falcons and was the starting tight end until 1967 when he retired from professional football.

Taz was active in the Atlanta real estate market from 1966 until his death. He left his mark on real estate in the south with over $450 million in transactions including the initial assemblage of property at the corner of Piedmont Rd and Peachtree Rd, the development of the Palmetto Bay Marina in Hilton Head, SC, the erection of the Centennial Tower in 1996, and the construction of the The Aberdeen in Vinings.

Through it all, he was a Yellow Jacket. He was a member of the Georgia Tech Athletic Board for ten years, served on multiple search committees, and co-founded the Yellow Jacket Clubs. Taz worked with Kim King and Homer Rice to rename Grant Field and honor Bobby Dodd. Taz was the developer for the 1985 expansion of the then Alexander-Memorial Coliseum from 6,000-9,000 seats.

Taz Anderson was a great man, a true and loyal friend, and a person with great honesty and integrity. He had a smile that lit every room that he entered; a smile that melted the coldest heart, and an inspiring sense of curiosity and innovation.

He was a Tech man. He was an Atlanta real estate man.

He was legendary. There will never be another one like him.

Taz is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years Gregory, his son Geoff and his daughter in-law Stephanie, his daughter Christine Sharp and his son in-law John, step-son Sam Kellett and Sam’s wife Jennifer; grandchildren Sophie, Audrey, and Geoffrey Tazwell Anderson and Jaqueline and Sam Kellett.

There will be a memorial service at 11:00am, Thursday, September 29 at the Mount Paran Church located at 2055 Mt. Paran Rd NW, Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund at the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, 150 Bobby Dodd Way, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332.