Curtis Wayne Anderson

Curtis Curt Wayne Anderson of Alpharetta, GA passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 86. He was born May 28, 1928 to the late Edgar and Bernice Anderson. Curt grew up in Cannon Falls, Minnesota on the family farm near White Rock where his knowledge of agriculture began with his many farm responsibilities. He attended his first 8 years of school in a one-room schoolhouse. In high school he loved sports, especially football and basketball, captaining the team. He also focused on agriculture taking a course every year. Following his graduation from Cannon Falls High School in 1946, Curt joined the US Navy and was a
Radioman on the USS Graffias AF29, a refrigerator ship carrying supplies to Naval bases throughout the South Pacific and Far East during WWII. Curt took great pride in his Naval Service and his family enjoyed hearing his many recollections of his experiences as a Radioman. Following his Naval Service he attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he met the love of his life, Leona Lee Christ from Lakota, Iowa. Curt enjoyed a 41-year career with Sunkist Growers in Sherman Oaks, California, which included responsibility for public affairs, grower relations and crop forecasting. He became Vice President of Member and Public Relations in 1984, a position he held until the time of his retirement in 1993. Curt was highly respected by his peers and was frequently called upon both here and abroad for his expertise in the citrus industry. Following retirement from Sunkist Growers, he joined with others in organizing an electric-power buying cooperative for which he was in charge of membership. The first year of operation they realized $24 million in business with 18 members. He was a long time resident of Westlake Village, California, where he and Lee raised their two daughters. A desire to be closer to grandchildren motivated his move to Georgia in 2005. Curt was a devoted husband and father and took great joy in being a grandfather. His smile, humor and wisdom will be deeply missed by all. Survivors include his wife, Leona Christ Anderson; daughters, Cynthia Chaney Larry of Portland, Maine; Mary Reany Jonathon of Roswell, Georgia; grandchildren Rachel, Sophie, Eliot and Ethan; and sister Leora Carpenter of Metairie, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol Peterson. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to the Arthritis Foundation, http://www.arthritis.org.